Is Sean Avery the Dennis Rodman or Terrell Owens Of The NHL?

When Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA had a dynasty, the most colourful and controversial player on the team was Dennis Rodman. Terrell Owens, recently cut from the Dallas Cowboys and signed by the Buffalo Bills, has been called the Dennis Rodman of the NFL.

If you are trying to understand Sean Avery, or put his antics into perspective, look no further.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were supposed to help Dennis Rodman be a team player with the Chicago Bulls in the late 90's.  Rodman was a rebounding machine and an award winning defensive player.

The Bulls managed to reign in Rodman enough to win championships, and Rodman was allowed to express his individuality in different ways. He stunned basketball fans with his artificial hair colors, numerous tattoos and body piercings.

Rodman was also known for his verbal and physical assaults against officials, frequent ejections from games, and also for his tumultuous private life.

His usual assignment was to neutralize the opponent's best player. He could guard centers, forwards or guards and won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

From 1991 on, he established himself as one of the best re-bounders of all time, averaging 15 boards for half a dozen years with the Bulls.

Terrell Owens caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, but the Cowboys cut him because they didn't like him in the locker room. They said he was a cancer in the locker room, which was just what the Dallas Stars said about Sean Avery.

T.O., as he is known, may play in T.O., as Toronto hosts Bills games and is rumoured to be taking the team away from Buffalo in the near future. Sean Avery comes from the Toronto area.

Compared to T.O. and Rodman, even the old Sean Avery seems relatively easy to get along with, never mind the new, milder Sean Avery after Anger Management.

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