Sworn Enemies Shake Hands After 30 Years: "Bum" and "Sicko" Bury the Hatchet in Front of Webber and Garnett! /VIDEO/

Once sworn enemies from the legendary clashes between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, two basketball legends have finally buried the hatchet at a recent Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The older generation of NBA players was forged from a different mold than today's. They prided themselves on their rivalries, battled fiercely on the court, and even refused to socialize during All-Star Weekend. And sometimes, as in the case of Mourning and Rodman, they carried that animosity long after their careers ended.

That's why the "bad blood" between these two persisted for nearly three decades. Harsh words were exchanged. Rodman once called Mourning a "$17 million bum," while "Zo" referred to Rodman as "sick," alluding to the provocations "The Worm" used to try and get under his skin.

Their fierce battles lasted for years, especially in playoff matchups. In Game 4 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals, both were assessed technical fouls after wrestling under the basket. Zo was largely the one who kept his cool, which largely explains why Miami ultimately won that game.

Meanwhile, Rodman never shut up. He called Mourning "a kid who doesn't know how to play basketball." As Zo refused to respond, Heat coach Pat Riley stepped in to defend his player, showering Rodman with a few unforgettable epithets.

It was therefore hard to imagine that two Hall of Famers could truly put the past behind them. However, in a twist of fate, Chris Webber posted a video showing Zo and Dennis shaking hands for the first time since their 90s clashes. And it wasn't just a handshake – smiles and genuine joy were visible on their faces.

- They're shaking hands for the first time in 30 years - Chris Webber remarked.

And so, two old rivals finally decided to move past everything.

There comes a moment when a rivalry ceases to be one, especially as the protagonists get older. Once, everything was intensely personal and fierce.

That conflict has now finally been archived, and we might all get the chance to hear stories that have remained untold for three decades. If Zo and Dennis decide to drop by a podcast...