Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley used to be fierce rivals during their active years in the NBA. Together, alongside their respective teams, they delivered tremendous performances in every game they played. With them on the court, professional basketball was a gem, a delight, and, of course, so was His Airness, Michael Jordan.
Years, many years later, they now share the spotlight as commentators covering the sport they love. On the program Inside the NBA, viewers can watch them debate and counter each other, although at times one goes a little too far with the teasing.
On this occasion, it was Shaq who brought up an anecdote from more than 30 years ago to Barkley, one that was tied to the championship the Phoenix Suns lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
That series took place in 1993, and the memory resurfaced this Sunday during the latest episode of the aforementioned show.
The moment Shaquille O’Neal reminded Charles Barkley
During the conversation they were having about Nikola Jokic, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith suggested that Shaq might have trouble facing him. In response, O’Neal quickly fired back, saying that for him, there was only one player who had ever truly dominated him, and that was Hakeem Olajuwon.
Barkley did not hold back and reminded him of 1995, when his team was swept by the Houston Rockets. But it did not end there, as Shaq turned the spotlight on Barkley’s own misfortune.
He pointed out that Barkley had reached the NBA Finals only once, and that it came against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, who ultimately defeated the Suns in six games.
Michael Jordan, send me a picture of Chuck’s lip prints on your a** when you busted him. Love you, Mike.
O’Neal said.
In the moment shared by the former NBA stars, both appeared relaxed and in high spirits. Their exchange unfolded with laughter and the kind of camaraderie that only years of competition can forge. The playful jab underscored how their rivalry has transformed into entertainment for fans who now enjoy their chemistry off the court.
Perhaps the upbeat mood was also fueled by the Olympic hockey victory they had just witnessed against Canada, which ultimately settled for the silver medal.
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