Worm Turns On Nba Refs

His teammates are questioning his play, referees are watching his every move and Dennis Rodman is knocking a favorite target - the NBA front office.

“I’ve been trying to be a good boy. I don’t know what else to do. … The next time I’m going to get my money’s worth,” Rodman said Sunday after he was ejected late in the Bulls’ 97-89 loss to Toronto.

Rodman was called for an offensive foul and waved his arm at referee Mike Mathis, who was under the basket. Bill Spooner, stationed near midcourt, hit Rodman with the technical, his second of the game, resulting in the ejection.

“It’s sad. David (Stern) has these referees in diapers and they can’t make any calls. I’ve never seen anyone get a technical foul for waving his hand,” Rodman said.

“They don’t have the nerves to stand up for themselves. They have nothing. Their chains are pulled by Rod (Thorn, the NBA’s vice president of operations). I’m not one of his puppies… . I just don’t understand what’s going on.”

Chicago coach Phil Jackson said Rodman’s reputation isn’t helping.

“They’re looking for Dennis,” he said. “And when they see something Dennis does, they make the call.”

Both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen have criticized Rodman for his play and behavior.

“Dennis is really going to have conduct himself a little better on the court,” Pippen said. “Anytime the whistle is blown, he’s chasing the ball or doing something. It builds up frustration within his teammates, so you can imagine how the officials feel about him.”

“If it’s the case that he’s bored, he shouldn’t be,” Jordan said after a rare second straight loss. “He’s getting a good test now.”