The NBA has seen some serious confrontations and heated exchanges, where the Shaquille O’Neal-Dennis Rodman rivalry has been a standout. Despite being two of the most iconic players in league history, Rodman and Shaquille O’Neal would often engage in on-court feuds.
There were many altercations between these two, but there had been one instance when even Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen intervened to stop a fight between Shaq and Rodman.
Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen once stopped Dennis Rodman & Shaquille O’Neal brawl
As much an underrated and smart player as he was, Dennis Rodman always preferred doing his own way and, on many occasions, it ended fiercely.
The incident occurred during a game between the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers when Rodman started getting very physical with Shaq, making rough fouls and silly decisions.
The tension escalated to a point where it seemed that a physical altercation was imminent. Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen, who were also on the court, had to intervene to prevent a potential brawl. Whilst some called it as smart play, others were not much concerned about it, where even Scottie Pippen gave a quick smile knowing Dennis’ nature as a passionate player.
Shaquille O’Neal once revealed why he dislikes Dennis Rodman
When asked about the worst teammate Shaq had ever played with, the answer was Dennis Rodman even though they only played together once in the 1998-99 season.
Dennis Rodman, renowned for his fierce defensive skills and rebounding prowess was the sort of player who was never appreciated by his opponents. One of them was Shaquille O’Neal, whose main reason for disliking Dennis Rodman was Rodman’s aggressive style of play, which often bordered on the edge of physicality and antagonism.
While the attitude was another part of the problem, his whole approach made Rodman get on Shaq’s nerves, whether it was just being late for his meal before a game. A teammate who “made it hard” is enough to sum-up their relationship on and off the court.
Despite their differences, both were known for making a big impact in crucial games for their respective teams as Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Rodman are now celebrated NBA legends. The NBA certainly witnessed some hatred between the two which adds to the ever-growing drama of the sporting world, captivating more and more fans all around the world.
