Dennis Rodman is one of the most controversial NBA players. Over the years, he has had beef with several personalities, including Charles Oakley. The New York Knicks legend called Rodman out when the latter made some not-so-positive comments about LeBron James. In 2017, during an interview with CBS, Rodman criticized King James for taking time out from games to rest. However, this did not sit well with Oakley who made sure to remind Rodman that he ‘wasn’t a tough guy’.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Chicago Bulls legend had a problem with NBA players taking time off the court. Being a former Bulls player, Rodman decided to use Michael Jordan as an example and compared him to LeBron James. The five-time NBA champion stated that LeBron was doing the one thing that Jordan never did, MJ never rested.
“He played every game. LeBron has the position to do this now because they need him. The league needs him that?s why he?s doing all this crazy s— now like bitching and complaining and all this [BS],” Rodman told CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter.
Dennis Rodman stop it you wasn't a tough guy. I think LeBron is smart , you don't have to be tough to play basketball Miss wedding dress
— Charles Oakley (@CharlesOakley34) April 6, 2017
Evidently, New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley did not agree with Rodman’s statement. The NBA All-Star took to Twitter to send a befitting reply to Rodman shortly after his comments. Interestingly, this was not the first time Rodman got into an altercation with Oakley. Remember the steakhouse incident?
Dennis Rodman gets kicked out of a steakhouse
During a 2022 interview with GQ, Charles Oakley talked about his memoir, The Last Enforcer. The memoir entails his time in the league and his relationship with several NBA legends and superstars. Halfway through the interview, Oakley was asked to shed some light on the steakhouse incident. The Knicks legend recalled that after doing an appearance together in the afternoon, Dennis Rodman asked Oakley about his plans for later. The Oak Tree informed Rodman that he would be going to his steakhouse on South Beach at around 7-7:30 pm. After the two separated, Oakley later got a call from his manager.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“He said, ‘Oak, guess what?s happening?’ I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘Dennis is walking around eating off people’s plates.’ I said, ‘I?ll be right over,'” said Oakley.
After he reached the venue, he witnessed Rodman doing exactly what his manager had earlier informed him about. Therefore, Oakley grabbed Rodman by his shirt and confronted him for his actions. In response, Rodman replied that he was ‘just having a good time’.
Oakley continued, “I said, ‘You don’t have a good time like this in my type of establishment.’ I grabbed him, dragged him to the door and threw him out. I said, ‘Don?t you never come around me again.'”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Dwight Howard joins Scottie Pippen, Allen Iverson, Dennis Rodman, and other stars who have played outside the NBA
The interviewer then asked if they had buried the hatchet after the unpleasant incident. Oakley stated that it was rather the opposite. Rodman would apparently stay out of Oakley’s way and would avoid him as much as possible.