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The NBA 75 ceremony was a spectacle. During halftime of the ecstatic All-Star Game, the league gave honors to the 75 greatest players of the league. While most legends were on their best behavior, Dennis Rodman was arguably the odd one out. And Shaquille O’Neal did not appreciate his conduct during the ceremony.

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Despite being one of the top NBA stars, Rodman never gave up on his genuine self. He would often slip practices, attend parties (remember 48 hours in Vegas), and be a free soul. But when it came time to compete, he put his body on the line. He ended his career with two DPOYs and five championships with the Pistons and the Chicago Bulls.

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But during the NBA 75 ceremony, Rodman was acting somewhat unprofessionally. While most saw the true Rodman, Shaq was not a fan.

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Shaquille O’Neal destroys Dennis Rodman

After the NBA 75 ceremony, LeBron James and a few others were taking pictures. With Rodman close by, he entered the frame. However, before going in, he flung the esteemed NBA 75 jacket onto the ground. This did not sit well with Shaq, who went into the former Bulls forward.

He said: “My mother doesn’t allow that. I represent Dr. Lucille O’Neal. I don’t represent myself. I represent my momma and the other women in my life, Taahirah, Amirah, and Me’arah, I represent them. I’m going to be silly and do my stuff. But when it comes time to be professional, I will always be professional.”

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Shaq is a man of utmost respect and discipline in his life. While he may have let himself go after a few championships, he always presents himself in the best manner possible. And there are no exceptions, including for his kids, who need certain qualifications to even touch his money.

So it isn’t surprising to see him take a go at Rodman. However, this isn’t the first time he has done it.

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When Shaq and Rodman nearly fought

In the past, during a matchup between the Bulls and the Lakers, things got a little heated between the Big Diesel and the Worm. Shaq pushed Dennis Rodman hard, and this did not sit well in his books. So he almost went right back at him.

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It took both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to hold him down. They had to push him and pin him to the ground to avoid a fight with Shaquille O’Neal. He then processed to calm down and went his way.

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If it had escalated into a fight, who do you think would have come out on top? Let us know in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,509 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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