Rambis Says Rodman Knows Role

There was a meeting of minds, Coach Kurt Rambis said, and he is hopeful that from now on Dennis Rodman knows he is expected to show up for practice, show up on time and even report into games when he is asked.

“I think we have come to an understanding that he is an important part of this ballclub and we need him to make a more concerted effort to be a part of this team,” Rambis said Sunday, elaborating on his 30-minute meeting with Rodman and his agent after practice Saturday.

“Be at practice, be on time, all of those things.”

On Friday, Rodman opted not to reenter the game in the fourth quarter, saying that he had been out of the game too long and was too stiff. On Saturday, he was 75 minutes late to practice.

Are the other Laker players confident the meeting with Rambis will convince Rodman to be a good soldier?

“He’s a team guy,” Kobe Bryant said. “He’s very unselfish, he wants to win. I don’t think anybody had any doubts that once he played, he was going to play hard. I don’t think that was ever in doubt.

“I think where the doubt is, him coming to practice and showing up. I think that might’ve bothered people a little bit. . . .”

TONIGHT

vs. Vancouver, 7:30

Fox Sports West

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--KLAC (570 AM).

* Records--Lakers 20-11; Grizzlies 5-23.

* 1999 Record vs. Grizzlies--0-1.

* Update--The Lakers gave Vancouver one of its rare victories, a dispiriting 93-83 clunker Feb. 22 to complete an 0-3 Laker road trip and end the coaching tenure of Del Harris.

* Tickets--Forum box office or TicketMaster (213) 480-3232.