Reviews Are Not Good for Rodman’s Late Shows

It was another Silly Saturday at L.A. Southwest College with serial flake Dennis Rodman, who brought along his pet Hollywood attendants this time and may be bringing his brief Laker career to a critical junction.

A night earlier, Rodman pulled another in an already long Laker list of exasperating stunts: He declined to reenter the end of the Lakers’ loss to Sacramento, passing word to Coach Kurt Rambis that he had been out of the game too long and was too stiff to play.

On Saturday--exactly two weeks after departing the team for a seven-day paid leave of absence--Rodman, apparently frustrated by his role on the team even though he got his first start Friday, showed up 75 minutes late to practice, flanked by bodyguards and other cast members.

After practice, at the request of Rodman and Laker management, Rambis, Rodman and agent Steve Chasman held a 30-minute closed-door meeting.

“I feel that it was a very positive discussion,” Rambis said, who appeared to be choosing his words carefully. “I believe there’s going to be a lot of positive things that are going to come out of that discussion.

“I understood why his frustration led him to be late. And we worked through his frustration, to what I feel is our satisfaction.”

Rodman and Chasman waved away reporters after the meeting, which did not prevent Chasman from sidling up to Kobe Bryant, who later made it clear he was not seeking new representation.

Perhaps significantly, neither Rambis nor General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who was present at practice, ruled out the possibility of releasing Rodman if his errant behavior continues much further.

“Is that an option in my mind?” Rambis said. “That is not an option I want to happen.”

Said Kupchak, who said Rodman will be fined for being late and was speaking to reporters outside the gym precisely when Rodman arrived: “[A release is] an option for any player with any behavior that doesn’t seem to be working at that point in time. That’s always an option.

“But that’s really not something that we’re prepared to talk about right now. I mean, he’s late, it’s not the first time he’s been late. . . .

“You know, it’s not something that we totally did not expect. And certainly at this point in time, our position is that we will tolerate it.”

Rambis conceded he was disappointed with Rodman’s activities, and clearly did not have much sympathy for Rodman’s not wanting to play in Friday’s fourth quarter.

Rodman started the third quarter, then was replaced by Robert Horry with 3:42 left in the quarter. Rambis wanted to put Rodman back with about three minutes left in the game, but had to switch to J.R. Reid when Rodman opted out.

A stationary bike has been provided in the Great Western Forum tunnels for Rodman’s use during games to say loose, but Rodman hasn’t used it yet.

“No, that’s my responsibility--I’m supposed to be stretching them,” Rambis said sarcastically. “Of course, it’s the players’ responsibility to be ready to play.”