12 Pro Sports Teammates Who Beefed With Each Other - Page 4

Watch enough sports, and you’ll hear a bunch of clichés about chemistry and the brotherly bonds in the locker room. But that doesn’t mean punches aren’t occasionally thrown behind closed doors.

These 12 teammates who beefed with each other got caught turning that aggression we all assume should be directed at the opposition on each other, and it made for tabloid gold. Hit the jump and check out the winners and losers.

—
Photo: Sports Illustrated

Shaq vs. Kobe

Kobe had a disdain for Shaq’s work ethic (or lack thereof), and Shaq was heated that Kobe snitched to the cops about his sidepieces. There’s no way to reconcile that.

photo: WENN

Michael Jordan vs. Steve Kerr

Kerr and His Airness traded some blows during a heated practice in 1995, after Kerr refused to back down. He earned the respect of Jordan and his teammates, as well as a black eye.

photo WENN/ESPN W

Isiah Thomas vs. Bill Laimbeer

Laimbeer seemingly earned his reputation as a cheap shot artist in 1993 by elbowing Thomas in an already-broken rib during practice. In turn, Zeke punched him and got a broken hand to match his broken rib.

photo: WENN

Tim Hardaway Jr. vs. Carmelo Anthony

This was allegedly complete speculation, but there were a good dozen reports saying Melo politely offered Tim Hardaway Jr. the fade in December of 2014. If they were true that would partially explain why the Knicks were so bad.

photo: WENN

Scottie Pippen vs. Charles Barkley

Much like Kobe and Shaq, part of this rivalry was sparked by Pippen perceiving Barkley as lazy. Granted, there was probably 10 years of evidence to suggest Chuck wasn’t going to show up to training camp in shape.

photo: WENN

Terrell Owens vs. Donovan McNabb

T.O. put Donovan McNabb on blast for allegedly pulling a Willy Beaman against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. But before that Owens continually took shots at McNabb and created a rift in the Eagles locker room.

O.J. Mayo vs. Tony Allen

Apparently a 2011 game of Boo-Ray went so wrong that Tony Allen put the hands of God on fellow Memphis Grizzlies’ teammate O.J. Mayo. The two patched things up for a short time before Mayo ultimately left to sign with the Dallas Mavericks in 2012.

Gilbert Arenas vs. Javaris Crittenton

It’s all fun and games until you hedge on a bet. Some playful gambling got a bit too real in 2009. Next thing you know Arenas brought some guns to the locker room as a joke, and Crittendon brandished his too.

photo: WENN

Jason Kidd vs. Jim Jackson

They both deny it, but during the ‘90s it was widely assumed Jim Jackson and Jason Kidd both fought over R&B singer Tony Braxton while they were members of the Dallas Mavericks.

photo: WENN

Steve Blake vs. John Gilchrist

By now, most NBA aficionados know Steve Blake is a fiery dude with or without the rock in his hands. John Gilchrist found out when both players were back at Maryland, as a senior Blake took exception to some rough play by Gilchrist. Both guys got some quick licks in before ultimately being separated.

Ken Lucas vs. Steve Smith

People really shouldn’t test NFL wide receiver Steve Smith. During a 2008 training camp scrimmage for the Carolina Panthers, trash talk between Smith and Lucas got physical. Lucas got a broken nose and a black eye for his troubles.