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Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley are easily two of the biggest and most popular names on sports TV. While they can be mercilessly funny, they can also be extremely petty.
Three years ago, they had this hilarious quarrel about who gets to speak with limited time on the clock. “Chuck” had already said his piece and took O’Neal’s slot as well.
Shaq was so irate that he didn’t even say anything to join the Inside the NBA crew's discussion. The former LA Lakers big man even threatened to knock out Barkley.
Looking back on that incident, here’s what Shaquille O'Neal had to say about it on his podcast:
“Y’all laughing, that s**t ain’t funny. I was mad that day.”
Ernie Johnson originally told his co-hosts that they had allotted nine minutes to discuss a certain topic. Charles Barkley complained that it was just too long. Fortunately, they were only asked to do three minutes of analysis.
Kenny Smith promptly started and ended his take, but Barkley spoke for too long and even took O’Neal’s turn. Barkley gave Shaq just 30 seconds to express his thoughts and even called him “Mr. Sensitive.”
The visibly irritated “Big Diesel” had this to say to the “Chuckster”:
“No, I ain’t sensitive. Imma knock your a** out on national TV. I’m telling you right now, play me if you want to. It’s supposed to be one, two, three, not one, two, back to one, dumba**.
"Do it again, Chuck! I’m telling you, it’s gonna be some fireworks out here. You’re repeating yourself, you said all that yesterday.”
Throughout the whole exchange between Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson simply could not hold back his laughter. He was having so much fun, he was crying. At one point, he had to stand up and turn his back to the camera to compose himself.
On the other hand, Kenny Smith was desperately trying to hold back his own laughter. Smith even tried to change the topic but failed to ease the tension.
Based on his reaction to the incident three years later, O'Neal was extremely offended by what the former Phoenix Suns superstar did.
Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley’s confrontations aren’t all serious
The comedic side of both Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley are all too real. Separately, they can light up a room with a joke or just a mere comment. Together, when they’re having fun, they can be electric and a show all unto themselves.
In one of O'Neal's many threats to Barkley, this one was a little different:
"He has American defense immunity, so which means if you were here, Charles, I will punch you right in the face. I'll punch you right in the stomach and make you throw up all those Australian clams you had on the beach.
"I would kill you right now. I can't talk to Charles like that in America but here in another country, bite you in the face Charles."
Shaquille O'Neal’s threat was so sudden and vicious that the host was momentarily taken aback. Had he been in that same interview, Charles Barkley might have laughed at it before checking if Shaq was serious.
As NBA action heats up, basketball fans can expect more of these hilarious and sometimes testy exchanges between the two former MVPs.
Guess the Lakers players!
