LV watches Rodman play, sashay

Tim Graham

Friday, Feb. 7, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Dennis Rodman is no stranger to Las Vegas.

And in Las Vegas there is none stranger.

The enigmatic Chicago Bulls forward, recently suspended from the National Basketball Association for kicking a courtside cameraman in the crotch, made his rounds about town Thursday.

After an afternoon of craps at various casinos, Rodman taped a segment for the "Tonight Show," which has been airing from the MGM Grand this week, and then made a memorabilia presentation at the All-Star Cafe.

Known for his gaudy, cross-dressing attire, tattoos and multicolored hair, Rodman was clad in a gold-sequined halter top, black leather skirt and army boots, topped off by a full-length black trench coat. Further embellishments included sunglasses, a nose ring, indigo fingernail polish and a toothpick.

His blond hair was hidden by a silver-banded, black cowboy hat.

While on the "Tonight Show," Rodman discussed his most recent punishment by the NBA, which included an 11-game suspension without pay, costing him $1.1 million. It was his ninth suspension since 1992 and his third since last March.

"I'm just paying for being myself," he told host Jay Leno.

"It wasn't fair to me. I haven't raped anybody. I haven't been thrown in jail. I haven't done this, I haven't done that. Tell me something I've done that's really been harmful."

Although Rodman, 35, claims that cameraman Eugene Amos was acting, he agreed to pay a reported $200,000 out-of-court settlement.

On Wednesday, Amos was arrested on a charge of beating his girlfriend.

"It's a damn shame we've got people out there and the first thing out of their mouths is 'I'm going to sue you,'" said Rodman, whose aggressive play has made him basketball's top rebounder even though he is only 6 feet 8 and 220 pounds.

Before he left the "Tonight Show" set, Leno presented Rodman with a pair of high-heeled basketball shoes. Rodman autographed one and gave them to a woman seated in the front row.

From there, it was on to the All-Star Cafe, where Rodman made his entrance as trailers of his upcoming movie, "Double Team," played on video screens throughout the sports-themed restaurant.

The gathering of fans roared as the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year appeared. Even a member of the media shouted "You the man! You the man!"

Another spectator obviously disagreed, yelling out "You big freak!"

Rodman misunderstood: "You want to buy me a drink?"

Rodman was there to give the restaurant part of his wardrobe from "Double Team" -- a silver polyester chest plate and purple plastic pants -- and answer a few questions about the film, which stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and opens April 4.

He also talked about his return to basketball Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets in Chicago.

"Right now, I'm just looking forward to coming back, bro, and do what I always do," he said. "I'm ready to go out there and play."

Especially if reports surrounding his stay in Las Vegas are true. Rodman supposedly spent the majority of his suspension in the city, shooting dice at various establishments, but mostly at The Mirage, the same hotel where he and Madonna held numerous romantic encounters a few years ago.

"I decided to come to Vegas and spend some money," he said.

Many around the craps tables claim Rodman lost his blouse.

When asked what chips Rodman uses, pit bosses were reluctant to answer. When pressed further -- "Were they $25, maybe $100" -- one admitted with a laugh, "He's a little stronger than that."

The only matter they would speak on was the scene Rodman creates when he plays. With personal security guards around him, the crowds gather.

"He enjoys people and tries to make them laugh, which isn't hard for him to do," said James Haughaboo, a floor manager at The Mirage.

Haughaboo wouldn't say how much money Rodman lost, but everyone who saw the puzzling basketball star play points out that winning on the tables isn't important to him.

And those aren't the only donations Rodman has planned.

"I'm going to come back and play my next 11 games for free," Rodman said. "I'm going to donate (my money) to charity and stuff like that. It's just to show some people that I have to come back and earn their respect."

Rodman couldn't remember the broad spectrum of charities he will donate parts of his salary to, but previously announced that Y-Me Breast Cancer Awareness, the March of Dimes and the Magic Johnson AIDS Foundation would be recipients.

"It's, like, 15 charities," he said, "but I'm going to make sure I cover all the angles and give to every nationality and every cause."