Refs Will Slam Dunk Rodman, If He Won’t Quit This (Stuff)

Short of becoming an NBA referee, what else can Bulls coach Phil Jackson do?

He has talked to Dennis Rodman. He has explained to the trouble-making power forward that he obviously has a problem with league officials. He has spoken up for Rodman, defending him after just about every one of his run-ins with referees, league officials, opposing players and courtside cameramen over the last two seasons.

But Rodman’s actions are wearing thin. As the Bulls prepared for Game 2 of their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks tonight at United Center, Jackson had to lay down the law for what he hopes was the last time.

Dennis Rodman has to play through this.

“Phil didn’t tell me anything new,” Rodman said. “Just to watch out for the same old (stuff) from the refs.”

Because the referees certainly are watching out for the same old (stuff) from Rodman - he was ejected from the Bulls’ 100-97 victory in Game 1 Tuesday night. It was his second ejection in four postseason games, and Rodman has received at least one technical foul in each game.

Official Joe Crawford gave Rodman his first technical just 2 minutes into Game 2 when Rodman shoved Atlanta’s Christian Laettner after a whistle stopped play. Crawford ejected Rodman for elbowing Dikembe Mutombo in the third quarter after Mutombo waved a finger in Rodman’s face.

“It’s pretty obvious that in a game with such high-intensity action, the referees are not always going to be able to see the first contact or the first situation on the floor,” Jackson said. “Mutombo wagged his finger - he did what he’s not supposed to do. But Dennis exacerbated the situation and he is culpable in that situation. He’s the one who has to be able to withstand the urge or the payback mentality.”

That Crawford might not have seen Mutombo’s taunting isn’t the point.

Crawford did see Rodman. Everybody saw Rodman.

Jackson stopped short of exonerating Rodman for his actions this time. Rodman was whistled for 25 technical fouls in just 55 regular-season games.

“Short of maybe a name change, face change or identity change, Dennis is going to be the same person on the court,” Jackson said. “Dennis just has to be conscious of who is officiating the game. Different officials bring their personality to the floor. Last night it was Joey Crawford and his playoff temperament, which is short.”

Tonight, it could be Bill Oakes or Bill Spooner or Mark Wunderlich. The names don’t matter at this point.

“You have to be aware of who is refereeing the game and give them credibility as to who they are and play accordingly,” Jackson said. “Just like you play Mutombo as a shot blocker, you have to play the referees.”