BRIEFLY OLD MAN RODMAN READY TO JAM AGAIN.

Dennis Rodman - the former NBA rebounding king known for defying everything from the law to common sense - will attempt to defy something else next month.

His age.

Rodman signed a two-game deal Tuesday to return to the American Basketball Association's Long Beach Jam in his latest attempt to make it back to the NBA, where he won five titles, seven rebounding titles and was twice selected Defensive Player of the Year.

``I don't think I will be disappointed,'' Rodman said in a phone interview. ``I'm going to be out there kicking everybody's (butt) so I can get a shot. I think there are plenty of teams that need a good rebounder.''

When Rodman plays in his first game this season and fourth overall with the Jam on Jan. 23 against the Utah Snowbears, he will be 43 years, 237 days old. His second game with the Jam is slated for Jan. 28.

Rodman was released from the ABA's Orange County Crush on Tuesday.

- A.J. Perez

CYCLING: Lance Armstrong is suing a former personal assistant who claims thLIZ121504 In a lawsuit filed Monday in Austin, Texas, Armstrong and his personal service company, Luke David LLC, are seeking to declare an alleged employment contract with Mike Anderson invalid.

Anderson claims that Armstrong sent him an e-mail in 2002 setting proposed terms of employment, according to papers filed in the lawsuit.

WATER POLO: Two-time Olympian Tony Azevedo signed signed a 1 1/2-year contract to join Bissolati Cremona. The incentive-laden deal could be worth up to $275,000, making him one of the highest-paid players in water polo, USA Water Polo spokesman Eric Velazquez said. Azevedo played his final game for Stanford on Dec. 5 when the Cardinal lost to UCLA 10-9 in double overtime in the NCAA championship.

- Daily News Staff and Wire Services