With ABA title in hand, Rodman looks to NBA

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Dennis Rodman wants to add an NBA championship to the ABA title he won with the Long Beach Jam.

Rodman had 14 rebounds in 24 minutes and helped the Jam beat the Kansas City Knights 126-123 in the American Basketball Association title game Tuesday, and then expressed hope that a team -- possibly the Lakers -- will give him one more chance in the NBA.

"I was a little more aggressive, had my hops, got the deer legs back," said Rodman, who has excelled at rebounding during his career. "If I had played 30, 35 minutes, I'd have gotten 20 easy, and in the NBA it would have been the same thing. Hopefully, I'll get a call in the next couple of weeks."

Rodman's agent, Darren Prince, said about six teams have expressed at least some interest in Rodman, including two teams in California.

"I'm not about to beg anyone to get a guy like me," Rodman said. "I think the Lakers should get me at least as an insurance policy ... all the (players) are falling like flies."

They know I know the offense, know the system, know the guys.

"Hopefully, another team will pick me up and I'll win a championship somewhere else."

Rodman showed flashes of the talent that helped him win two NBA defensive players of the year awards and five NBA titles with Detroit and Chicago. He frustrated Kansas City's big men with his positioning and defense, and he frequently dove to the floor chasing loose balls.

Nine of his rebounds were on the offensive glass, and he put back one of those rebounds in the first half for his only two points of the game.

Lakers scout Bill Bertka, the Knicks' Jordan Cohn and the Raptors' Jim Kelly were in the stands for Tuesday's game, and all three declined to comment specifically on Rodman.