Dennis Rodman and his "all-star team" of American basketball players have landed in North Korea for an exhibition basketball game staged in honor of Kim Jong Un's birthday.

The group of Americans being offered like a sacrificial lamb birthday cake to North Korea's dear leader include former NBA all-stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson Vin Baker and former Knick Charles D. Smith.

The NBA has denounced the game, saying that, "Although sports in many instances can be helpful in bridging cultural divides, this is not one of them."

Rodman, who clearly has a firm grip on the international affairs, recently explained the trouble he's had convincing other Americans to visit North Korea with him, saying, "You know, they're still afraid to come here, but I'm just telling them, you know, don't be afraid man, it's all love, it's all love here."

On Wednesday, the American team will play a North Korean team that Rodman hand-selected last month. It's not clear what their punishment will be if they lose.

When asked about his intentions, Rodman tried to clear up misconceptions about his friendship with the chair-lift riding dictator by referring to himself in the third person.

"The marshal is actually trying to change this country in a great way," Rodman said. "I think that people thought that this was a joke, and Dennis Rodman is just doing this because fame and fortune."

But Rodman, changing planes in Beijing, told a reporter for Sky News that he has no intention of confronting his murderous buddy about human rights violations, pointing out that many Americans are kept jails as well.

"That's not the right thing to do. He's my friend first. He's my friend. I don't give a ****. I tell the world: he's my ******* friend, I love him."

[image via AP]