Shaquille O'Neal Had Words for Charles Barkley After Blunt Accusation

At that point, Charles Barkley decided to make his thoughts on Howard's guesting very clear. 

"I thought it was a very pleasant night with [Howard] and Jalen (Rose)," Barkley said. "I thought it was awesome."

Kenny Smith interrupted Barkley by saying that the latter was involved in the decision to bring Howard in amid O'Neal's absence. 

"C'mon man," Smith said. "That was too strategic that y'all picked Dwight Howard." 

"Who is we?" Barkley asked. 

"You," O'Neal accused. 

Barkley responded by saying that he had "nothing to do with that," before Smith hilariously revealed that he had supposedly seen Barkley's message in the group text requesting that Howard fill in for O'Neal. 

Even Ernie Johnson had to chime in on the fun, saying that he thought Howard was "sensational" in front of the camera. Barkley continued praising the former Los Angeles Lakers center, which drew a blunt reaction from O'Neal. 

"That's alright," O'Neal said. "... Chuck, STYA. Shut your (expletive) up."

It was all in good fun, though, and the entire crew shared a laugh during the light-hearted moment. 

The fact of the matter is that O'Neal is back on his desk after a brief hiatus. Whether or not Howard comes back anytime soon remains to be seen.