When Scottie Pippen was at the free-throw line in the second quarter of Game 4, some Jazz fans tried to distract him by waving life- size posters of Dennis Rodman in a wedding dress.

In the NBA Finals, Rodman has played as if wearing one. The league's leading

cross-dresser and six-time rebounding champion, a key part of the Bulls'1996 title, is rapidly becoming an annoying afterthought for his teammates.

To unwind after Game 4, Rodman -- with Bulls coach Phil Jackson's permission -- went to Las Vegas. The way he has been playing, some figure he might as well stay there.

Rodman, almost always a virtual zero on offense (averaging 2.8 points against the Jazz), has seen even his strengths wither in the best-of-seven series, which is tied, 2-2. He is averaging seven rebounds-- 5.3 in the past three games. That's well below his league-leading regular season average (16.1).

Equally significant has been the 6-foot- 8, 220-pound Rodman's inability to stop 6-9, 256-pound Karl Malone, forcing centers Brian Williams or Luc Longley to guard Malone, which weakens their interior defense. Pound for pound, Rodman may be as strong as anyone in the league, but when he tries to impede Malone by leaning on his broad back, he might as well be a fly on a rhino.

Worse for Rodman has been the ineffectiveness of what is usually his most reliable weapon -- psychological warfare. But Malone doesn't get upset or distracted by Rodman's words and gestures.

"Part of Dennis' problem," Michael Jordan said, "is that he hasn't been able to get into Karl's head."

What's going on in Rodman's head? Neither his teammates nor coach profess to know. Although he is hardly a star performer in the series -- since playing 33 minutes in Game 1, he is averaging fewer than 25 minutes -- Rodman continues to draw media crowds rivaling those of Jordan, John Stockton and Malone.

Most often, as Bulls general manager Jerry Krause said, Rodman "talks for effect."

When he's not using media sessions to insult Mormons or discuss his nightlife, Rodman says, "I need to get hit, slapped around. I need to get into the flow."

Rodman used to run upcourt like a frisky colt, but the bounce in his step has been absent in this series. He said the knee injury that caused him to miss the last 13 games of the regular season is not bothering him. He dismisses the notion that at 36, his body has begun to betray him.

Whatever the reason, Rodman, like most great rebounders a master of timing, is out of sync.

Jackson said he thought Rodman mistimed four rebounds in Game 3. And in the first half of Game 4, Jackson lectured Rodman for ignoring his limitations -- and the Bulls' offensive strategy -- by attempting two three-pointers.

"You don't manage Dennis like you manage most players," Jackson said. "If you become punitive, he becomes more resistant. If you become more encouraging, he becomes more compliant."

Said Jordan: "Dennis likes to motivate himself. He likes to find challenges. I can't bash his head. Phil can't bash his head. It's frustrating when you can't get to him, but I've gotten past that frustration. I can't let that get to me or it will affect the way I play."

After setting an NBA record with a technical foul in 13 consecutive playoff games, Rodman didn't get a technical until Game 4.

One theory is that Rodman -- who will be a free agent after the season -- is engaging in a work slowdown so the Bulls will realize how much they need him. Another is that Rodman is behaving meekly on the court in hopes of being re- signed.

Despite their statements that nothing has been decided, word is that the Bulls are finished with Rodman.

One Chicago newspaper calls him The Gimmick Formerly Known As Dennis Rodman. The Salt Lake Tribune ran this front page headline Sunday: "Rodman's mom says he's normal."

Malone, who played with Rodman for three years in a Dallas summer league in the mid-1980s, remembers that Rodman -- an aspiring player who worked as a janitor at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport -- as a nice guy.

"I don't know this Dennis," Malone said. "And I don't want to."

Since the Bulls didn't practice Monday, after the interview session, Rodman -- again with Jackson's permission -- made a second trip to Las Vegas. Tonight in Game 5, they hope he will go at the backboards with similar enthusiasm.