Rodman’s bodyguard arriving ahead

Dennis Rodman is sending his bodyguard Craig Balkam ahead of his arrival here ‘to case the joint’ and make sure things are in order for the former National Basketball Association (NBA) star’s first visit to the country where his estranged father Philander lives.

Rodman is flying in on Aug. 26 with another NBA legend Alex English. The other players in coach Sidney Moncrief’s team will be in town two days earlier. Balkam is due from Los Angeles this weekend.

Rodman, five other NBA stars and five recruits from the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) are coming to play the San Miguel All-Stars in Mandaue on April 27 and the Philippine team, coached by Chot Reyes, at the Araneta Coliseum on May 1.

The ‘Bad Boy’ tour will also include three camps for 8-to-15 year-olds. Event organizer Mario Whitmire, a former US Navy serviceman who is married to a Filipina Terry Magistrado of Iriga City, said 120 kids will be accommodated for each camp. One of the camps will feature Rodman who is expected to concentrate on rebounding and defensive techniques.

"Dennis is excited about coming over," said Whitmire. "I just spoke to him and he’s coming with his assistant Thaer Mustafa. I don’t know if he’ll see his father, who lives in Angeles City, but he just might. It’s completely up to him. His main thing is basketball and like the other guys, he’s ready to play and kick some butt."

Whitmire said Rodman will bring 500 copies of his latest book "I Should’ve Been Dead By Now’ and has agreed to appear in an autograph-signing event with fans.

"Of course, Dennis has heard a lot about the Philippines and in fact, he asked if he could meet Manny Pacquiao," added Whitmire. "I’m hoping Manny will find some time to meet Dennis who’s a big boxing fan."

To show how serious he is about the tour, Rodman insisted on dispatching Balkam as his personal advance one-man party.

Whitmire said the NBA legends are not flying in for a vacation.

"The guys are out to show they’re far from over the hill," continued Whitmire. ‘They’re all working out to get into shape. They know the San Miguel All-Stars are loaded with former national players and they’re expecting stiff opposition from the national team which beat Dennis’ team the Long Beach Jam in Las Vegas last year."

Aside from Rodman and English, the other NBA stars coming to play are Darryl Dawkins, Otis Birdsong, Calvin Murphy and Kevin Willis.

Murphy, who averaged 48.9 points as a Niagara freshman in 1966-67, was here in 1974 to play a series of games against the national team.

"Calvin is looking forward to coming back after over 30 years," said Whitmire. ‘He remembers riding in a bus on the way to the coliseum and getting mobbed. He told me the bus almost tipped over because of the fans. He knows how popular the game is with Filipinos and he’s excited to play and score a bundle of points."

Whitmire said the NBA stars will be reinforced by five recruits, namely, Shawson Johnson, Kareem Reed, Myron Allen, Olu Famutimi and Scott Merritt.

"We’re awaiting word from one or two more NBA stars who might be able to come," said Whitmire. "We’re keeping their names secret for the moment until they confirm. But they’re legends just like the others. These guys have a lot of pride. They’re coming to play and to win, no matter how old they are."

The oldest in the team is Murphy who is 57. English is 52, Birdsong 50, Dawkins 49, Rodman 44 and Willis 43.

Whitmire said he’ll shave his head if the visitors lose a game in the series.