Photo Courtesy Of Andrew D. Bernstein/ CBS Sports
Legendary NBA star Dennis Rodman recently claimed fellow legendary NBA star Shaquille O’Neal didn’t like him because “he was more famous” than the now-sports analyst.
Rodman shared the juicy recollection during a live session of “Beyond The Rim” at the 2022 REVOLT Summit x AT&T.
“Give me the most legendary Dennis Rodman story that no one has ever heard,” former NFL player Brandon Marshall asked the 61-year-old retired baller.
The former “Bad Boy” wasted no time saying Shaq allegedly didn’t like him when he joined the Lakers in 1999.
“You know what, guys? This is a true story. Jerry Buss (the Los Angeles Lakers’ former majority owner) loved Black people. That guy [was] cool as hell. Shaq didn’t like me because I was more famous than him,” he said.
A surprised Marshall asked the retired ball player to repeat himself once more.
“That’s for real,” Rodman responded.
“When I came in, they catered to me,” he said, explaining that Buss was the one who approached him with the opportunity.
“‘Dennis, would you like to come play for the Lakers,'” he recalled the businessman asking him.
He continued expressing that he was shocked by Buss’ offer at the time, which he said came with “champagne” and “eight girls.”
“Jerry, you’re f**king with me,” he recounted.
The Jersey native added that the team’s executives fired their coach the day he arrived, which he claimed ruffled Shaq’s feathers.
“Shaq didn’t like that because he knew that that sunshine of light wasn’t on his a** no more,” Rodman said. However, the former Lakers center’s reaction didn’t bother him.
“I don’t really give a s**t man. Long as [you’re] doing well in your life, that’s what I care about,” he said.
Rodman’s legacy includes being a five-time champion with the Bulls and Pistons, a two-time All-Star and a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. His eccentric style also left an impact on pop culture, as he’s often celebrated amongst fashion enthusiasts to this day– especially Gen Z and Millennials, who’ve been seen praising his outfits in a viral TikTok video. The video, posted to Rodman’s account on Sept. 3, has accumulated 7.5 million views since it was first uploaded.
Rodman was also honored with a collection of clothing by popular Black-owned streetwear brand V-Lone, created by A$AP Mob members A$AP Bari and A$AP Rocky.