‘Bad Boys’ lineup confirmed

Former National Basketball Association (NBA) star Dennis Rodman won’t be the only demolition man in the "Bad Boy" team that plays the Philippine national team at the Araneta Coliseum on May 1.

Tour organizer Mario Whitmire said Rodman will be joined by five other explosive NBA veterans and six pick-ups from the collegiate ranks in the two-game series starting in Mandaue on April 27. He announced the final lineup yesterday.

Whitmire said "Bad Boy" coach Sidney Moncrief, a five-time NBA All-Star and an 11-year pro with a career average of 15.6 points, will suit up in a dual capacity. Aside from the 6-7 Rodman and the 6-5 Moncrief, the other pros in the roster are 5-9 Calvin Murphy, 6-7 Alex English, 6-4 Otis Birdsong and 6-11 Darryl Dawkins.

The recruits are 5-11 playground phenom Kareem Reid of the University of Arkansas, 6-6 Canadian national cager Olu Famutini of the University of Arkansas, 5-11 Myron Allen of North Dakota University, 6-10 Jason Klotz of the University of Texas, 6-8 Colin Boddicker of Texas Christian University and 6-6 Chad Wilkerson of Oral Roberts University.

Rodman’s bodyguard Craig Balkam arrived yesterday morning from Los Angeles as the seven-time NBA top rebounder’s personal one-man advance party. Klotz, Boddicker and Wilkerson plane in today. Reid, Famutini, Allen, Moncrief, Murphy, Birdsong and Dawkins fly in tomorrow while Rodman, his assistant Thaer Mustafa and English arrive Wednesday.

Whitmire said Rodman will promote his latest book "I Should Be Dead By Now" and has agreed to an autograph-signing session during the tour. He will also conduct a basketball clinic for about 120 kids who are between the ages of 8 to 15.

Rodman is reportedly guaranteed a fee of at least $100,000 for headlining the "Bad Boy" tour.

Whitmire said the NBA veterans are out to prove they can still kick butt on the court despite their ages. Murphy is the oldest player in the team at 57. English is 52, Birdsong 50, Dawkins 49, Moncrief 48 and Rodman 44.

"They’re ready to play," said Whitmire. "Dawkins told me to make sure the backboards are reinforced because he plans to do some serious slam dunking. He’s in shape to go 48 minutes and when Darryl sets his mind to it, there’s nothing anybody can do to stop him."

Whitmire said Birdsong has promised to score at least 30 points in each game. "Otis played in four NBA All-Star Games and once scored 49 points in a game," added Whitmire. "He was a pro for 12 seasons and played for Kansas City, New Jersey and Boston. Otis never won a championship ring but he’s always been a winner. His mission is to go undefeated in the Philippines."

Whitmire said several NBA legends wanted to join the trip. "Spud Webb has an Achilles tendon injury and couldn’t make it," he continued. "Shawn Kemp was a possibility. Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman and Derek Harper would’ve come but they all had other commitments. Kevin Willis backed out at the last minute. But in the end, we got together a solid group that’s in shape and that’s ready to win as a team."

Among the collegiate recruits, the standout is Reid who led Fat Joe’s Terror Squad to three straight Entertainers Basketball Classic titles at Rucker Park in Harlem. Among his Fat Joe’s teammates were Ron Artest, Stephon Marbury and Kenny Satterfield. Reid, 30, has played as an import in Turkey and Lithuania and also had a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters.

National coach Chot Reyes said the Philippine team will do its best to beat the visitors and won’t be awed by the "Bad Boy" squad’s impressive credentials. The national team will be made up of Jimmy Alapag, Mike Cortez, Willie Miller, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Dondon Hontiveros, Tony de la Cruz, Asi Taulava, Don Allado, Nic Belasco, Romel Adducul, Rafi Reavis and Kelly Williams.