Rudy T. Likes Idea Of A Slick Dennis

Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich isn’t totally dismissing talk of San Antonio’s Dennis Rodman coming to the Rockets.

Said Tomjanovich: “I’ll never say never. I’ll say this: We’re always looking for ways to improve the club. You never know what might happen to Dennis over the summer. If he comes back bald and says he’s a changed person, who knows? But we have not had any contact with Dennis or his people.”

Houston bench explodes

After being outscored by Orlando’s bench 18-6 in Game 1, Houston’s reserves contributed 41 points to the Magic’s 11 Friday night in the Rockets 117-106 win. Sam Cassell led the way, tying his career playoff high with 31 points. He also scored 31 against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals.

On defense, Robert Horry’s seven steals broke the finals record of six shared by John Havlicek, Steve Mix, Maurice Cheeks and Isiah Thomas. The playoff record is eight, shared by five players.

Nets to look at Respert

New Jersey will work out Shawn Respert of Michigan State on Monday. Respert is listed at 6 feet 3 inches, but most experts attending the National Basketball Association pre-draft camp in Chicago this week believe that he is about 6-1. Still, Respert is one of several players the Nets are counting on to be available when they select No. 9 in the June 28 draft.

The Nets are also interested in bringing in Corliss Williamson, the 6-6 Arkansas power forward; James Forrest, the Georgia Tech shooting guard; Michael Finley, the 6-7 Wisconsin swingman; and perhaps even Rashard Griffith, the 6-11 and 270-pound center who left Wisconsin early for the draft.

Strickland may shoot for Bullets

The Washington Bullets are considering a trade for veteran Portland Trail Blazers’ point guard Rod Strickland, according to the Washington Post.

Washington general manager John Nash and coach Jim Lynam plan to meet with Strickland and his agent.

The deal being discussed would send the Bullets’ first-round draft pick to Portland along with shooting guard Rex Chapman for Strickland and the Blazers’ 18th selection in the first round.

Carr still mum on Celtics vacancy

M.L. Carr completed his whirlwind week by taking an early-morning flight back from the Chicago predraft camp to Boston, squeezing in an interview with Celtics coaching candidate Mike Jarvis, then hurrying off to celebrate his son Michael’s high school graduation.

When asked if he had any more interviews on tap, Carr answered, “No, I don’t think so. I don’t have anything scheduled.”

Carr has repeatedly refused to even speculate on his candidacy, other than saying he would not rule out the possibility.