ESPNET SportsZone: Bulls deny Rodman will miss first round

Bulls deny Rodman will miss first round

CHICAGO -- Jerry Krause, the Bulls vice president of basketball operations, called WSCR Radio in Chicago on Friday to deny the station's report that Dennis Rodman is going to miss the first round of the playoffs.

Dennis Rodman

Rodman

WSCR reported that Rodman is not recovering fast enough from a moderately sprained medial collateral ligament suffered in the closing seconds of a 94-92 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on March 25.

ESPN contacted Rodman's agent and his business manager, both of whom denied the WSCR report.

Krause said Rodman wanted to play this weekend, but the team opted to evaluated his progress next week. Krause said Rodman will practice hard on Tuesday with the expectation he will play in the first playoff game Thursday or Friday.

WSCR, however, is sticking to its story, citing a source who said it will be a "medical miracle" if Rodman is able to return.

The defending NBA champion Bulls are 69-12 and could win 70 games for the second consecutive season. They close out the regular season Saturday by hosting the New York Knicks and will play either Washington or Cleveland starting next week in the first round of the playoffs.

Rodman, the five-time defending rebounding champion, again is leading the league in rebounding this season, pulling down 16.1 boards a game.