On the eve of his coaching (!) debut for the Elmira (N.Y.) Bulldogs of the Eastern Basketball Alliance, Dennis Rodman was ready with many a quotable quote for his new hometown press in New York State; BallinEurope’s attention was piqued when ol’ Tennis Ball Head called out NBA Commissioner David “El Hefe” Stern while hyping up his own boys:
“David Stern does a great job,” proclaimed Rodman as reported by Brian Fees of The Daily Review, “but where he goes wrong is I don’t think they give American athletes a real opportunity. They are always looking for European players. I think Americans should have a chance to get to the NBA.”
Um, okay, Worm.
As Rodman explained in a Facebook post clearly not written by him, he’ll be coaching the Bulldogs for just two games – against the Garden City Rebels tonight and the New York Wizards tomorrow night – while standing Elmira head coach/GM James R. Schutz “takes the night off.”
Fees went on to record many a gem from Rodman upon his arrival at Elmira/Corning Regional Airport last night, including his would-be philosophy of coaching (“I want to try and do what Phil Jackson always did. I don’t want to try and overshadow anyone. I want them to go out and just play their game. Patience is a virtue. My good friend Chuck Daly, may he rest in peace, always said good things come to people who wait.”) and the serious nature of the coaching gig (“I want to show people that I am different than the character they see on TV. Everyone always sees me on TV, they see me doing crazy stuff,” Rodman said. “They see me on shows like rehab. I’m the sanest guy on that show.”)
Here’s wishing best of luck to the former 91 and his Bulldogs – BiE gets the feeling they’ll need it. Meanwhile, here’s a bonus highlight clip of one of the baddest rebounders there ever was (music by Pearl Jam and not, as implied by the title, Steppenwolf):
