Here’s A Late Score: Worm 2, Brick 0

Just like the rest of the NBA Finals, the head-games battle between Chicago’s Dennis Rodman and Seattle’s Frank Brickowski has been no contest.

Brickowski was thrown out for the second time in three games Sunday after knocking Rodman down with a forearm to the Adam’s apple. Afterward, Rodman stood at the free throw line with his arms folded and smirked.

“I was telling him it breaks my heart that he has to leave the game,” Rodman said.

As far as Rodman is concerned, anytime he can get the other team to show it’s frustration with his antics, it’s mission accomplished.

“All of a sudden the Seattle SuperSonics totally got out of their game,” Rodman said. “They weren’t even trying to play. They were just so worried about what I’m doing. Like I’ve said all series long, it’s a mind game.”

And Rodman is winning, just as he won it against Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O’Neal earlier in the playoffs.

“A lot of people don’t give me any credit for doing a lot of things on the basketball floor. All people want to do is write negative things about Dennis Rodman,” Rodman said. “But my job is totally different than anyone on that floor. It’s to go out there and do the dirty work and get in people’s heads. That’s my job. I don’t get paid enough to do that but I do it.”

Brickowski said he didn’t intend to hurt Rodman and didn’t deserve to be thrown out.

“I’m baffled by it,” Brickowski said, “and he made a fool out of the refs as far as I’m concerned.”

Rodman said Brickowski is overmatched.

“Frank Brickowski basically is in there just to try to frustrate me,” Rodman said, “and it’s not going to happen.”

Count Gary Payton among those who insist they aren’t rattled by Rodman.

“‘He ain’t been a distraction to me because I know he’s crazy anyway,” Payton said. ‘He’s making a show. I know what he’s doing and I don’t pay any attention to him.”

Ready to rock ‘n’ roll

Dennis Rodman has become as big a crowd attraction as Michael Jordan. And he doesn’t mind at all.

Rodman was extremely talkative after Sunday’s 108-86 romp over Seattle, and he said he was ready to take it easy on Monday.

“Bring it on,” he said. “I can take it.”

The teams don’t play again until Wednesday night.

“I’ve got a TV show tonight with Cindy Crawford,” he said. “I’ve got to hang out with Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam tomorrow. I’ll go smoke a cigar and maybe take a Jacuzzi - by myself.”

Harper hurt

Ron Harper, who started 80 games in the regular season and all 14 playoff games, was replaced by Toni Kukoc in Chicago’s starting lineup because of a sore knee.

Harper played only a minute after failing to make it through layup drills.

He played well in Chicago’s first two games, especially on defense.

But, before Sunday’s game, he was upset about the perception that he only became a good defender when he joined the Bulls.

“It makes me want to throw up, if you want to know the truth,” Harper said. “I don’t get a kick out of it at all. I’ve been playing good defense since I came into the league.”