Heat Wants Worm - Not Attitude

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 27, 1999 / 6:43 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Pat Riley says he wants to sign Dennis Rodman if the NBA bad boy will follow team rules.

But those rules include showing up for practice, and it's unclear whether Rodman is willing to do that for the Miami Heat on a regular basis.

"I would issue a challenge to Dennis in this way: I think Dennis is a winner, a rebounder, a defender, and he may still have enough in him to help a young team win a championship," Riley said late Tuesday.

Rodman talked about retirement last week, then said he would play for the league minimum in Miami or Orlando. The Magic have said they're not interested in the 37-year-old cross-dressing forward.

"I do not mind the clothes he packs in his baggage," Riley said. "I respect him as a basketball player, and I respect him as a winner."

Heat general manager Randy Pfund has been in contact with a representative of Rodman's, Riley said. The Heat could offer Rodman only $1 million this season.

"I really think he has what it takes to teach a team how to win," Riley said. "That could be a legacy of his."

But Riley cautioned that Rodman would have to sacrifice some of his individuality.

"If he wanted to come and be a part of this and be equal, what he does away from the court and what his personality is irrelevant to me," Riley said. "But it would have to be on equal terms. That's the only way it would work. It could not be any double standard in terms of work ethic and practices. It would be on the team's terms -- team first, team last."

Rodman and his wife, Carmen Electra, are in Miami for the Super Bowl this week and will host a party Thursday night on South Beach. The Heat open their season Feb. 5.