NBA, NBARPA Not Backing Rodman's North Korea Trip

MIAMI (AP) — The NBA and the National Basketball Retired Players Association are among those criticizing Dennis Rodman's latest trip to North Korea.

The NBRPA released a statement Tuesday saying the trip "is not supported by our organization in any way," a similar sentiment to what was offered by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

A number of former NBA players are on the trip with Rodman, who calls North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a "friend for life" despite the nation's human rights record and its development of nuclear weapons.

Rodman says a game scheduled for Wednesday between the former NBA stars and North Korean players is a birthday present for Kim.