Rodman out through All-Star break

Lawrence: Rodman got off easy

Cameraman plans to file suit against Rodman

Zone users: Suspend Rodman for season

MULTIMEDIA

David Stern says Dennis Rodman's behavior will have to improve.
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Michael Jordan knows Rodman feels as though he let down his teammates. (Courtesy WLS)
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Jordan says Rodman has to take a look in the mirror. (Courtesy WLS)
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Bulls GM Jerry Krause says Rodman is still part of the family.
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Eugene Amos speaks out. (Courtesy KSTP)
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ESPN's David Aldrige says it could've been worse for Rodman.
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Rodman

"We are not going to tolerate uncivilized behavior," NBA commissioner David Stern said Friday.

Rodman will be suspended at least 11 games, which would carry through the All-Star break (Feb. 7-10). He must also pay a $25,000 fine and see a counselor who is sanctioned by the NBA. The length of the suspension is pending a discussion with the counselor.

Rodman kicked courtside cameraman Eugene Amos after falling out of bounds in the third quarter of Wednesday's 112-102 win at Minnesota. Amos, 48, was carried off the court on a stretcher and claimed he was kicked in the groin.

"(For) any young kid who plays the game of basketball, I really feel it's important for them to know that Dennis may be a great player, but this particular type of behavior towards other people -- kicking other people -- is wrong," Amos said Friday.

"Until Dennis can provide meaningful assurances that he will conform his conduct on the playing court to acceptable standards -- including not placing others at physical risk -- his suspension will continue," Stern said in a statement issued Friday.

WISHIN' YOU WERE HERE The Bulls have a tough schedule during Rodman's suspension: Jan. 17 def. Milwaukee Jan. 19 lost at Houston Jan. 21 New York Jan. 23 at Cleveland Jan. 25 Toronto Jan. 28 at Vancouver Jan. 30 at Sacramento Jan. 31 at Golden State Feb. 2 at Seattle Feb. 4 at Portland Feb. 5 at L.A. Lakers

The suspension will be the second longest in NBA history, after only the 26-game ban given to Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers for delivering a horrifying punch to the face of Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich in 1972.

Bulls executive Jerry Krause said the lost time could cost Rodman about $1 million in non-deferred salary and possible incentives.

"This is excessive and unjust," said Rodman's agent, Dwight Manley. "There's no precedent for it whatsoever, and to say he needs professional help from a counselor is unfair. He's perfectly sane and cognizant, and besides, it's a team's job to attend to a player's mental affairs. And the Bulls are happy with his state of mind."

The National Basketball Players Association said it would take legal action to challenge the penalties against Rodman and would challenge the league's policy allowing photographers to sit near the playing surface.

"While we do not condone Dennis' actions, the discipline the league seeks to impose is excessive and unprecedented," said Bill Hunter, executive director of the NBPA. "We have filed a grievance today, and we intend to forcefully challenge the league's action."

Rodman has said he kicked the cameraman in the knee.

"I just kicked him in the knee," Rodman said after the game. "He got carried off on a stretcher. It looked a little bit dramatic to me."

Krause discussed the issue with Rodman on Friday morning.

"He told me how bad he feels about the situation," Krause said. "I've been with Dennis before in these types of situations and he's always very remorseful afterwards.

"I think the league did what it felt it had to do and we certainly don't condone what Dennis did. Dennis did this, that's a fact of life, and he's going to have to get this straightened out with the league."

Rodman stumbled out of bounds after fighting for a rebound with 3:46 left in the third quarter. As Rodman fell over a photographer, Amos turned his camera on the Bulls forward. While sitting on the floor, Rodman kicked Amos high in his left thigh. Amos slumped over for more than five minutes before he was carried off.

"I'm embarrassed," Amos said Friday. "I feel really humiliated. I grew up in Chicago and the Bulls have been my idols for as long as I can remember. I'm very hurt by this, very hurt indeed."

Minneapolis police Sgt. Pete Jackson said his department hasn't yet decided whether to file charges against Rodman. If an assault charge is filed, it most likely will be fifth-degree assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

It is the second suspension of the season for Rodman, who served a two-game, team-imposed suspension earlier this season for a profanity-laced tirade on the referees after a Dec. 8 loss at Toronto.