As often, Dennis Rodman was particularly noted during the ceremony of the 75 best players in history on the sidelines of All-Star Weekend. An attitude that was not a problem for anyone … except for Shaquille O’Neal, who threw a big tackle at his ex-rival.
Absent (fairly) during the list of 50 in 1996, Dennis Rodman made up for lost time by earning a place in the top 75 all-time unveiled by the NBA at the start of the season. The Bulls power forward’s gargantuan impact in the rackets between 1996 and 1998 gave him that right, and the crazy rebounder showed up to the ceremony during the All-Star Game in good spirits .
But then, you know the artist: D-Rod has trouble being discreet. Where the vast majority of honored legends followed protocol, it was a Rodman in wisp mode who appeared, sometimes where we least expected him. We think in particular of his photo-bomb of the group photo with LeBron JamesSteph Curry et al:
A legendary photo op ???? #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/nIB9OuA9gp
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 22, 2022
Shaq not tender with Dennis Rodman after the ASG
An attitude that made internet users laugh… but not Shaquille O’Neal. At the microphone of his podcast, the Big Cactus condemned the actions of the strong winger with severity:
My mother wouldn’t have allowed that sort of thing. I represent Lucille O’Neal. I don’t represent myself, I represent my mother and the other women in my life: Taahirah, Amirah and Me’arah. So yeah, sometimes I’m going to be silly and have fun. But when it’s time to be professional, I am and always will be professional.
In essence, O’Neal accuses Rodman of having lacked professionalism by behaving in this way in a fairly formal ceremony and with codes to respect. Is Shaq’s opinion influenced by the past beef between the two men? Hard to say, but we know that it is not mad love between the two terrors of snowshoes, and that for a very long time – the proof:
Shaquille O’Neal, although not the last in terms of escapades, does not digest the behavior of Dennis Rodman, and he did not hesitate to let it be known. Resentment or true opinion that is close to his heart? Only the Big Cactus knows that.
