NBA: Built to Dominate

Rodman Loses Control—Pippen Tries to Calm Him Down

After getting blasted by Alex Mo's elbow, Dennis Rodman stumbled back, dazed.

But when he finally got back to his feet, he was ready to charge again—fists clenched, eyes filled with rage.

Rodman wasn't thinking about basketball anymore.

He just wanted to fight.

But before he could lunge at Mo again, Scottie Pippen stepped in.

"Dennis, stop! CALM DOWN!"

Rodman shook his head, still dizzy.

"Phil told me to take him out!"

"No, he didn't!" Pippen snapped.

"We're here to WIN, not turn this into a WWE match!"

Pippen was desperate to defuse the situation.

This was Christmas Day.

Millions of fans were watching this game worldwide.

If Rodman really started throwing punches, the consequences could be huge.

But Rodman didn't care.

Mo had embarrassed him.

He wasn't going to let it slide.

Lakers Call Timeout – Alex Mo Adds Insult to Injury

Meanwhile, Lakers coach Del Harris made a quick decision.

"Timeout. Get Mo off the floor."

He wasn't doing it to protect Mo.

He was doing it to protect Rodman.

Because if Mo stayed in the game any longer, Rodman would have left in a stretcher.

As Mo walked back to the bench, he passed by Rodman and smirked.

"Coach isn't protecting me, Dennis."

"He's protecting YOU."

Rodman completely lost it.

"MOTHERF—"

If Pippen and Ron Harper hadn't held him back, Rodman would've charged Mo right then and there.

Even Phil Jackson—normally calm—was pissed.

"Dennis, SIT DOWN!"

Rodman had no choice but to head to the bench.

But his mind was still locked on revenge.

Lakers Bench – Iverson and Big Ben Hyping Up Mo

As soon as Mo sat down, Iverson and Ben Wallace were all over him.

"Mo, that was legendary!"

"You just knocked Rodman into next week!"

Ben Wallace grinned.

"I've been wanting to do that for years! You saved me the trouble!"

But Iverson quickly got serious.

"Mo, listen. We gotta stay focused."

"I love a fight as much as anyone, but this isn't just a game. This is HISTORY."

"Millions of people are watching. If we fight, we lose everything."

Mo nodded.

"Yeah, yeah. No more fights."

"...Unless Rodman asks for another one."

Iverson laughed.

"You crazy, man."

Halftime – Bulls Lead 63-56

With Mo on the bench, the Lakers' offense slowed down.

Jordan went on a tear, and the Bulls took control of the game.

At halftime, Chicago led 63-56.

During the break, TV commentators broke down the first half.

"Without Mo, the Lakers can't keep up."

"But once he's back, and if Rodman returns… oh boy."

This wasn't just a basketball game anymore.

It was a war.

And the second half was about to get even crazier.

Second Half – The Battle Resumes

Del Harris had no choice.

He sent Mo back in.

On the Bulls' side, Phil Jackson did the same.

Rodman was back on the floor—his face still red with anger.

Before the quarter started, Pippen grabbed Rodman's jersey and got in his face.

"Dennis, LISTEN TO ME."

"We WIN FIRST. THEN you can do whatever the hell you want."

Rodman nodded.

"Fine."

But deep down, he had other plans.

Jordan Gets Shut Down—Mo Sparks a Comeback

First Bulls possession—

Ron Harper brings the ball up.Passes to Jordan in the post.Jordan turns, fades, and—

SWAT!

MO BLOCKS HIM!

Jordan stares in disbelief.

Mo grabs the rebound and takes off.

Rodman rushes after him.

But Mo slows down, baiting Rodman into a foul.

Rodman falls for it.

WHISTLE!

AND-ONE!

Mo hits the three, gets fouled, and heads to the free-throw line.

The Lakers are now within 3 points.

As Mo steps to the line, he looks at Rodman.

"If it wasn't for that foul, you wouldn't even be close to me."

Rodman's face turns red with rage.

But he holds back… for now.

Mo vs. Pippen—Mo Destroys Him with a Three

Next Bulls possession—Jordan misses a tough layup.

Mo grabs the rebound and calls for the ball on the perimeter.

Pippen steps up to guard him.

Mo sizes him up.

Then—

Step-back three.Pippen tries to contest.Too late.

SWISH.

Lakers take the lead.

Mo turns to Pippen.

"You guys might want to bench Dennis again."

"You were doing better when he was watching from the sidelines."

Pippen grits his teeth.

Rodman clenches his fists.

And then…

Rodman SNAPS.

Rodman Goes for the Knockout—And Mo Puts Him to Sleep

Rodman charges at Mo.

His fist is cocked back.

But Mo sees it coming.

At the last second—

Mo dodges left.

Then—

BOOM!

A right hook from Mo lands straight on Rodman's jaw.

Rodman spins in the air.

Hits the ground.

Out cold.

The arena goes silent.

Even Jordan looks shocked.

The referees frantically blow their whistles.

Rodman is knocked out cold.

And Alex Mo stands over him, unbothered.

The Entire Bulls Team RUSHES Mo!

Harper and Pippen charge at Mo.

Jordan is about to step in.

But before they can—

BIG BEN ARRIVES.

Ben Wallace shoulder-checks Pippen out of the way.

Harper takes one look at him and backs off.

Iverson grabs Jordan's jersey.

And in the middle of it all—

Alex Mo just stands there, smiling.

The Birth of the Martial Saint: Alex Mo

In that moment,

Mo wasn't just a dominant basketball player.

He had just beaten down Dennis Rodman in the most physical game of the year.

He had just put Pippen on a poster.

He had just shut down Michael Jordan.

And now?

The Bulls were scared of him.

The NBA had never seen a player like Alex Mo before.

The Christmas Game had officially turned into a battlefield.