Jordan, Barkley Blow Off Media

Dennis Rodman wanted to be here for the NBA’s All-Star weekend, but he wasn’t invited.

So he went to Las Vegas.

Michael Jordan didn’t want to be here, but he was elected. So he went to Las Vegas, too.

Jordan, however, will have to do a little better than Rodman at the gaming tables. Jordan starts out at least $10,000 poorer. He’s expected to be fined at least that amount by the NBA for skipping Friday’s mandatory 1-hour media session.

Jordan and Charles Barkley were playing golf in Las Vegas, Hakeem Olajuwon showed up 15 minutes after it was over because of airline trouble and Shaquille O’Neal just walked out. After 15 minutes of questions and answers, O’Neal turned to a reporter, asked what time it was, shrugged, got up and walked out.

Where’s Dennis?

Regarding the issue over those who should be here but aren’t, much of the talk concerned Rodman, the leading rebounder and one of the best defenders in the NBA, who wanted to be involved.

After finishing third in voting by fans for Eastern Conference forwards, Rodman was passed over by the coaches who pick the reserves. Rodman alleged there was a conspiracy to keep him out of the spotlight, where he had two tumultuous seasons with the Spurs. NBA commissioner David Stern denied that.

Stern addresses franchise movement

Stern is confident the rash of franchise relocations that have alienated fans and frustrated municipalities in the NFL and NHL won’t spread to his league.

He pointed out two previous court cases affirmed the league’s right to veto any proposed move.

“We have asserted the proposition that a franchise needs the permission of the board of governors to move. That power, reasonably exercised, is not a violation of antitrust laws,” he said.

Inconveniently for Stern, team relocation became a hot topic when the host San Antonio Spurs renewed their request for a new arena. Team chairman Robert McDermott proposed a move up the road toward Austin.

Karl’s wife wasn’t much of a George fan at first

For Cathy Karl, it was loathe at first sight. From what she could tell, her future husband and future coach of the Sonics appeared to be a jerk.

“I didn’t like him when we first met,” she said. “He was very cocky and he had a lot of girlfriends who he didn’t treat very well.”

Twenty-two years after they were introduced, George and Cathy Karl are back in the city where his professional career and their personal relationship began.

Karl will coach the Western Conference All-Stars.

As a member of the fledgling Spurs in the 1970s, Karl also was overwhelmingly popular, a favorite, it seemed, of every fan in town. But the then Cathy Kramer was a flight attendant with Braniff who couldn’t place Karl.

“He didn’t like me much because I didn’t know who he was,” she said.

Aren’t you old for a rookie?

Olympic veteran Arvydas Sabonis has a sore back and NBA All-Star rookie jitters. Sabonis showed up for All-Star weekend despite the Blazers’ appeal to get him out of the rookie game. At 31, he is the NBA’s oldest rookie.

What’s the magic in Wizard?

Washington Bullets fans are booing the five finalists for the new team name - Wizards, Sea Dogs, Dragons, Express and Stallions. Owner Abe Pollin, thought to favor Wizards, is even suspected of a fix by choosing four other names that are so bad. The team is dismayed local papers keep noting Wizard has a KKK connotation.