‘Baddest’ man says he’s here to entertain

It’s finally show time for former NBA bad boy Dennis Rodman and company in their "Bad Boy Tour" in the country.

Rodman and five other former NBA greats, backstopped by five NBA Developmental League players, make their initial show in their Philippine sojourn as they play the San Miguel All Stars at the Mandaue Sports Complex in Mandaue, Cebu at 7 p.m. tonight.

Rodman, the seven-time NBA rebounding king, arrived yesterday morning, completing the 11-man all-American team which clashes with the RP national squad in the main feature of the Bad Boy Tour Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The guest squad which includes other NBA legends in Alex English, Calvin Murphy, Sidney Moncrief, Otis Birdson and Darryl Dawkins and NBDL players Kareem Reid, Myron Allen, Olu Famutimi, Chad Wilkerson and Colin Boddicker will be back in Manila from Mandaue Friday.

Appearing in a press conference at Cinema 4 of the Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center in Cubao yesterday, Rodman and company promised a good show for the Filipino basketball fans both in their Mandaue and Manila games.

"We’re here to entertain you guys. If not, then we’re gonna be really bad boys for you," said Rodman, sporty in jogging pants and t-shirt and baseball cap.

English, an NBA Hall-of-Famer who spent majority of his career with the Denver Nuggets, said they would not travel half the world just to be embarrassed here. "We have a lot of pride," said the sweet-shooting forward who averaged 21.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in his colorful NBA career.

Murphy, another NBA Hall-of-Famer, backed English’s claim.

"We made our careers playing with a lot of pride. We came over here to make a good show. Combine that with these youngters (NBDL players) who want to make a reputation of being winners, then any team we’ll play will surely have their hands full," said the 6-foot-1 guard.

The former Houston Rockets star, who has played in the country with an NBA selection in the 70s, sees no problem with their unfamiliarity with their local rivals.

"Yes, we haven’t seen them play. But we’ll check them in a few moments then we would know their style and make the adjustments from there," said Murphy.

The oldest among the American players at 57, Murphy said he wouldn’t come here if he can no longer play.

Dawkins, who made a reputation in the NBA as a power rebounder and dunker, vowed to come up with at least a dunk each in their two games.

Flexing his muscles to display his huge frame, the 6-foot-10 behemoth also promised to set up picks for his teammates.

Tipoff in the Bad Boys-RP squad match is at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Fans may purchase tickets to the game by calling TicketNet at 911-5555 or online at TicketNet.com.

The Bad Boy Tour has Solar Sports as official television partner and San Miguel, Gatorade, Accel, energyfm, i FM, Magic 88.9 and Joey 92.3 as sponsors.