This story began as a simple, funny email to friends giving them 10 reasons to join me at an upcoming minor-league basketball game. Kevin Bronson, an editor at the Times, thought it would make a cute story for the paper. However, by the time the story was to run, the game’s biggest star, Dennis Rodman had quit, and the 2^nd biggest star, rapper Master P, was missing in action.

I’m happy with this final version, despite some heavy last-minute rewrites. The article ran with some very cool graphics.

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February 26, 2004 – The Los Angeles Times

Love the game? Then, folks, it's time to Jam

Dog Davis

10. The ghost of the Worm
You can mourn the passing of the much-ballyhooed ABA career of Dennis "The Worm" Rodman, the 42-year-old former NBA strongman and chronic publicity junkie. Rodman hooked up with the Jam in December, played two games in mid-January, got hurt and then last week recorded his most resounding victory — when he won ABC's "Celebrity Mole: Yucatan." On Friday, the Jam severed ties with Rodman, ostensibly to allow the tattooed warrior to pursue a return to the NBA. Meanwhile, Jam fans can look back fondly on the Worm days. Both of them. And those "Rodman" souvenir Jam jerseys? Still available, at a discount.



9. Master P (well, maybe)
The Rattlers' roster includes Percy Miller, better known as Master P — record company mogul, rapper, actor, clothing designer and father of teen heartthrob Lil' Romeo. Listed on Forbes' "40 Richest Under 40" list, he's wealthy enough to buy the league, but he has hoops credentials, like a stint with the Fort Wayne Fury in 1998. Needless to say, Master P plays whenever he wants, and he hasn't wanted to play much. Asked if Master P will suit up this weekend, Roy Hammonds, the Rattlers' president, conceded, "I can't say yea or nay."



8. Catch the league while you can
Not to be confused with the ABA of Julius Erving and Artis Gilmore, this ABA has managed to complete three seasons over its four-year existence. Franchises include the Tijuana Diablos, where players are serenaded with mariachi music, and the Juarez Gallos de Pelea, which may or may not translate to "Pass me the ball!"



7. Future NBA … role players
Scouts from the big league do show up, looking for players to plug holes on NBA rosters. Ex-UCLA standout Matt Barnes, for instance, recently graduated from the Jam … to the Clippers.



6. Yutamania! Catch it!
The NBA's Houston Rockets may have 7-foot-6 Yao Ming, the most famous Chinese player in the world, but the Jam has the Pride of Yokohama: 5-foot-9 Yuta Tabuse, a lightning-quick guard touted as "arguably the most famous Japanese basketball player in the world." Yuta man!



5. Great nicknames
The Rattlers are coached by ex-NBA big man Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Kobe's father.



4. Great nicknames, take 2
The Jam is coached by a man who played alongside Michael Jordan, Dr. J, Isiah Thomas and Hakeem Olajuwon — no, silly, not at the same time — Earl "The Twirl" Cureton.



3. The "3-D" rule
The ABA has several goofy regulations to jack up scoring. For instance, the "3-D" rule awards an extra point to baskets scored when the ball is stolen in the backcourt. (A two-pointer becomes a trey etc.) Hmm, that accounts for scores like 143-122.



2. The Pyramid
Jam games are played at the Pyramid at Long BeachState, which, with Vegas' Luxor and Memphis' Arena, is one of only three pyramid-shaped buildings in the U.S. And you can get Pyramid Hefeweizen from the beer stand.



1. The balls
They're red, white and blue, just like in the ABA's glory days and, some days, like Dennis Rodman's hair. Now tell me, who needs star power?

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Long Beach Jam vs. Las Vegas Rattlers, the Pyramid at

Long BeachState. Friday, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday,

2 p.m. $5-$15.

(562) 985-4949