Chapter 112: Tyson Challenges! Alex Mo Wins Player of the Month Again!

The news of the Chicago Christmas brawl didn't just shock the NBA—it rocked the entire sports world.

In Vancouver, Shaquille O'Neal was the first to react.

"Wait, seriously? Alex Mo knocked out Dennis Rodman?"

At first, he thought it was a hoax. But after confirming it again and again, the truth hit him like one of Mo's punches—Alex Mo went berserk in Chicago and wrecked the place!

"Damn, look at that punch… and that kick!" Shaq shouted, watching replays like it was a WBA title fight. "This ain't basketball—this is prime-time boxing!"

Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, Karl Malone nearly doubled over laughing when he saw the footage.

"Rodman's punches are slow and weak," Malone chuckled. "If that were me, I'd never let Mo get off a second shot."

Classic Malone—talking like every game was an Iron Age battle. But even he had to admit: Alex Mo was a different breed.

At Georgetown, the legendary "Three Towers"—Mutombo, Mourning, and Patrick Ewing—also weighed in.

"Our little brother Mo is no joke," Ewing said proudly. "He just gave Georgetown a serious win in street cred!"

Elsewhere, the 1996 rookie class was in shock.

Especially Marcus Camby, once hyped as Mo's long-term rival.

"Back in the NCAA, Alex wasn't this aggressive," Camby muttered. "Now he's treating Rodman like a punching bag…"

Yeah—Camby knew he didn't want that smoke.

But the buzz didn't stop at basketball.

The Chicago Martial Arts Club brawl crossed into combat sports headlines, with one of the greatest boxers of all time chiming in.

Mike Tyson.

"If I get the chance, I wanna fight Alex Mo in a real WBA match," Tyson declared on live television. "His footwork, his dodge, his punches—that's pro-level stuff."

Tyson wasn't joking. He truly believed Mo could throw on gloves and become a heavyweight champ.

Not to be outdone, Evander Holyfield clapped back.

"Tyson can't take him," Holyfield said. "Only I can beat Alex Mo in the ring. If he ever enters WBA, I'm the guy he'll have to get past."

These weren't just wild quotes. They were a testament to how far Alex Mo's influence had spread. This wasn't just basketball anymore—it was a full-on sports phenomenon.

Then the NBA handed down its official punishments.

Starting with the Chicago Bulls:

Dennis Rodman: 15-game suspension + $200,000 fine(Despite being KO'd, the league blamed him for starting the fight.)

Scottie Pippen: 7-game suspension + $100,000 fine(Bonus: He scheduled a dentist appointment and some much-needed recovery for his aggravated back.)

Michael Jordan: No suspension(He was hospitalized after Mo's savage block, though he reportedly stopped by to check on Rodman.)

Several other Bulls players received fines and warnings.

Now for the Lakers:

Ben Wallace (Big Ben): 20-game suspension + $200,000 fine(The league cited his locker room punch as the key escalation.)

Allen Iverson: 5-game suspension + $50,000 fine(His punches landed, but didn't escalate things as much.)

Elden Campbell: 5-game suspension + $50,000 fine(The 1v2 brawler from earlier in the fight.)

And finally…

Alex Mo: 15-game suspension + $200,000 fine(Despite knocking out half the Bulls' core, the league hesitated to go harder, knowing Mo's enormous influence.)

Big Ben, originally satisfied with his role in the chaos, felt robbed when he saw Mo's lighter punishment.

"Wait, I got more games than him?" he fumed. "I didn't even knock anyone out!"

It wasn't fair, but that's how the league worked. Mo's violence was on the court. Ben's punch was off it. In the NBA's eyes, that mattered.

December 28, U.S. time.

With their stars suspended, the Lakers lost their final three games of the year.

Their record dropped, and the Rockets overtook them for first in the West.

But on January 1st, the NBA officially announced its monthly awards.

To no one's surprise:

Rookie of the Month: Alex Mo

Player of the Month: Alex Mo, again

Even with the suspension, Mo's pre-Christmas performance had been historic.

He led the league in nearly every major stat category, and outshined even Michael Jordan.

With this, Alex Mo became just the third player in NBA history to win Player of the Month twice in a row during his rookie season.

The other two?

Larry Bird (1985–86)

Michael Jordan (1990–91)

Now, Alex Mo.

Media headlines went wild:

ESPN: "Alex Mo Joins Bird & Jordan: A Legend in the Making"

NBC: "Rookie No More—Mo's Two-Month Reign is Historic"

Los Angeles Times: "Alex Mo Ties Shaq for Player of the Month Awards—In Just Two Months"

Shaquille O'Neal couldn't believe it.

"Man… they're already comparing him to me? That's cold!"

But deep down, even Shaq had to respect it.

After all, Jerry West had pulled off one of the greatest moves in Lakers history—trading for Alex Mo in the summer of '96.

And just two months into his career, Mo had already proven he was worth it.