DENNIS RODMAN BREAKS DOWN

Emotions got the better of Dennis Rodman just minutes into a news conference he presided over in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Friday. Rodman is in town to have his No. 10 retired by the Detroit Pistons. He was remarkably composed throughout the better part of the question-and-answer session with media, but broke down while assessing his time spent as a part of Detroit's two championships in 1989 and 1990, telling the media that he felt as if he "doesn't deserve to have [the number] retired," because there "was so much else I should have done" in Detroit.


"I didn't fully understand the value I had for this organization," Rodman admitted. After his relationship with the Pistons soured following the breakup of the Chuck Daly-coached championship teams, Rodman forced a trade in 1993 to the San Antonio Spurs. He hasn't had much contact with the organization in the years since, pointing out that this was his first time back in the Detroit area since his final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.

Rodman also shed tears while discussing the recent passing of former Pistons president of public relations Matt Dobek, coach Chuck Daly and team owner William Davidson. Pointing out that those three "kept a lot of guys happy," Rodman spoke effusively about how the night would not be the same with the three absent from the proceedings.

The former two-time Defensive Player of the Year also relayed a story where Daly once pulled a frustrated Rodman into his office to remind him that "good things come to those who wait." And the lesson seems to have been picked up in Rodman's personal life, as relayed in his inimitable manner.

The Pistons put together a halftime tribute video for Rodman, whose children will watch the presentation. "This is going to be the first time," Rodman said, "they get to see a video of their father doing something positive with his life."

(We'll have further coverage of Rodman's jersey retirement ceremony as the weekend moves along, here at Ball Don't Lie.)

Photo credit: AP

Related: Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs