Netting a Hoop Fix By Linton Weeks Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, November 19, 1998

Even in the Season That Wasn't, Dennis Rodman can't stay out of the headlines. When earlier this week he married Baywatch bubblehead Carmen Electra, many folks found out about it from Worm's World, a site devoted to the exploits – on court and off – of Rodman. The site was created in April 1997 by Wesley Tacker, 16, a high school junior in Abilene, Tex. Asked what he likes about Rodman, Tacker – a slow-talking, self-deprecating kid – said, "His attitude. He does what he wants to make himself happy."

There is an abundance of creativity here: Photos of Rodman and news and a chat room. A place where visitors can vote on who Dennis Rodman will sue next. Speculation that Rodman is not the darling of the Converse shoe company anymore. Too bad all of Tacker's talents and times are wasted on the Worm.

Has Tacker ever met the rainbow-haired Rodman? "No, I've never met him or had official contact with him. I did see him once from the third deck of the Alamodome."

Other NBA ne'er-do-wells also have a fanatical following. Allen Iverson Central, for instance, keeps folks updated on the player-owner standoff. Meanwhile, visitors can vote on their favorite Iverson moves. The last poll on the page asked: "Who do you think is the biggest challenge for Iverson?" Of 21 or so replies, only one person got it right. "Allen is his own challenge because for him to reach the other level he needs humility," wrote a fan named Guilliaume.

The Unofficial Homepage of Latrell Sprewell, the Golden State Warrior who put a stranglehold on his coach, is cram-packed with news of Sprewell's lawsuits, car crashes and contract wranglings. Oh, yes, and there are some basketball shots.

Some of the good folks have sites. Fila, for instance, has launched a Grant Hill page that's pretty snazzy. Once you get past all of the promotional Hillabaloo, you can find the Detroit Piston waxing eloquent about whom he respects: "I'd have to say my parents are the people I most respect. My parents are hard working people who set an awesome example for me and a lot of other people."

And some enterprising fan has posted a Jacque Vaughn shrine. Utah Jazz point guard Vaughn is one of the new nice guys of professional basketball. At Kansas University he was the 1997 GTE Academic All-American of the Year.

But oddly enough, what seems to be missing these days are pages of angry fans, five-on-five aficionados who are mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore. Where are the riled rank-and-file? Not on the Internet. Yet.

Linton Weeks can be reached at weeksl@washpost.com

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Surfing Perturbations, pleasures and predicaments on the I-way

Let's Hear it for the Cap'n
The Net is a powerful tool for organizing grassroots campaigns on issues ignored by mainstream media. A trio of crusading Iowans has seized upon a glaring human rights violation – well, maybe not human. But certainly "a grave injustice." John, Eric and Sam believe that "after 35 years Cap'n Crunch should be promoted to admiral." The cereal commander "has dedicated his life to defeating the Soggies, which he has done without fail. He has also protected the crunchberries for the past 33 years. We believe that at the very least, the Quaker Oats Company should promote the Cap'n to an Admiral." Can any sensitive person disagree? "THIS," the trio informs us in all caps, "IS NOT A JOKE." Apparently not. They claim more than 12,000 names on their petition. If one chooses not to get involved, there are also links to the Boo Berry Worship Cult.— Dave Nuttycombe

Get Ready to Buy, Buy, Buy
Are you cool if your T-shirt bears a Microsoft logo or your hat has a Playstation emblem? According to Promotional Products Overview [www.fyiworldwide.com/promotional.htm] advertising logo merchandise – most of which is sent free to software retailers, repeat customers, testers, media types and top sales staff – just might be the world's best advertising vehicle because it "exceeded $9.6 billion in 1996 and led all media categories in growth except cable television."

Now, some computer related entities are selling their branded merchandise on the Web. Lycos [lycos.robertsonmarketing.com/logostore/] displays headwear, sweatshirts, bags, jackets and the best geekwear logo T-shirt price ($12) we found. PlayStation [www.playstation.com] offers a rumpus room full o' gear including a hat, windbreaker and a hokey white turtleneck with the logo attached to the neckband. Salon Magazine, [www.salonemporium.com/default.html] the online pundits' site, requires a $25 membership fee for discounted T-shirts and book bags.

Satirizing these sites, Planet Wally [www.gwally.com/articles/mscatalog/microsoft.html] takes a nifty look at what the Microsoft catalogue might look like. Always ahead of the curve, Wired closed down its WiredWare [www.wired.com/ware/] store on Aug. 27 making the Wired bookbag ($65), T-shirt ($17) and hat ($15) the very limited edition coordinated cybergeek ensemble you must have.— L. Peat O'Neil