Shaquille O'Neal Reacts Calmly To Charles Barkley's Provocations: '3rd Best Lakers Center, 2nd Best Magic Center'

If there’s one thing about Shaquille O’Neal, it’s that he exudes confidence and doesn’t care about what people think. Honestly, that is what makes him entertaining to watch, especially on Inside The NBA show which he co-hosts with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Unconcerned with public opinion, Big Shaq engages in lighthearted online banter with fellow sports icons. 

That is precisely what happened recently on the show when Barkley tried to provoke O'Neal by ranking him in the center position at his previous teams during their conversation. First, Barkley mentioned the Los Angeles Lakers and ranked Shaq as third-best in their history and then ranked him again as second-best ever for the Orlando Magic during their conversation. 

"But first of all, we got this tremendous man. It's been an honor and a privilege to watch him play. You are like the third-best Lakers center ever, I think? You're like the second-best Orlando Magic center after Dwight [Howard]?"

In response to his 'provocations', O'Neal promptly fired back at Barkley and said he and Dwight Howard can't compare with the number of NBA championships he has won. Shaq said:

"But I got more rings than you and him [Dwight] combined. I've got more rings than all of you."

[Inside the NBA] Shaq: I've got more rings than you and him combined [Chuck and Dwight]. I've got more rings than all of y'all.
by u/SmartestNPC in nba

This is not the first time the duo have faced off in light-hearted banter on the show and each time, nobody could guess what would come from Shaquille O'Neal. 

In this case, he completely roasted Barkley and pointed his co-host's attention to his trophy collection. The 53-year-old is a four-time NBA champion, having won consecutive rings with the Lakers in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He then went on to win his fourth title with the Miami Heat in 2006. That season, he averaged 20.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 59 games.

Barkley, on the other hand, never won a league title despite sharing the court with some of the best players in his days. He only reached the NBA Finals once, in 1993, but ultimately never achieved his dream of wearing a ring.

Shaquille O'Neal Mocks Charles Barkley After Wrongly Predicting Winner Of Warriors-Kings Game

On Thursday, Shaq engaged in another hilarious banter with Barkley. It came after the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry beat the Sacramento Kings 130-104 on Thursday night. Barkley had predicted that the Kings would win the matchup pre-game, but he eventually predicted wrongly as Curry made NBA history on the night.

As a result of that blunder, O'Neal mocked his co-host by pulling out his famous "Shaqtin dollars" during the show's Halftime Report. Shaq could be heard repeatedly saying, "Where the bands at", as he playfully mocked Barkley who looked in disbelief after his prediction turned out wrong. Shaq also sang praises of Curry throughout the night and even declared that the Olympic medalist belongs in the conversation for who the greatest of all time is.

Shaq uses the fake dollar notes anytime he wants to make fun of those who make blunders. In this case, it was Barkley who fell victim as the Warriors won their sixth consecutive game in the NBA.