RODMAN REVISITED

WALLACE MAKES FOES SQUIRM LIKE THE WORM

Hair, hair -- Ben Wallace is not the second coming of Dennis Rodman. But the newest Bull has more than a few similarities to the Worm, which should only add to the enjoyment of watching the Bulls next season. Like Rodman, Big Ben should be a huge fan favorite. Wallace rated behind only Steve Yzerman of the Red Wings among popular athletes in Detroit.

- Both players are quirky -- in a good way -- about their hair. Rodman kept his short but would change colors depending on his mood, which seemed to vary with stages of the moon. Wallace's wild Afro became a trademark in Detroit. But he also wears his hear in cornrows.

- Wallace and Rodman both are former members of the Pistons. Rodman won two NBA titles with the Pistons, and Wallace won one.

- Both players came to the NBA from small schools. Wallace went to Virginia Union, and Rodman played at Southeastern Oklahoma State.

- Both players are great defenders. Wallace's forte is the blocked shot, while Rodman was an outstanding one-on-one defender who could aggravate and frustrate opponents.

Rodman was a two-time winner of the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award and was an All-Defense first-teamer six times. Wallace won the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the fourth time in five years last season.

- Both are rebounders. Wallace has led the NBA twice, including 15.4 per game in 2002-03. Rodman had led the NBA in total rebounds twice (a high of 18.7) and offensive rebounds four times when he came to the Bulls.

- Both players don't score much. Wallace has averaged 5.7 shots and 6.6 points per game in 10 seasons. Rodman averaged 5.8 shots and 7.3 points per game in his 14-year career.

- Both players are notoriously poor free-throw shooters. Wallace shot 42 percent and is a liability late in close playoff games.

Rodman shot 58 percent, but it wasn't unheard of for him to hit big free throws late in playoff games.

The comparisons end off the court, where Wallace enjoys fatherhood while Rodman enjoys ... being Dennis Rodman. And Wallace can't match this:

Rodman played with Michael Jordan. Wallace will not.

PAXSON TAKES A CHANCE

FOR BULLS TO CLIMB WITH WALLACE, TEAM HAS TO STEP UP