Shaq seemingly takes offense to Barkley wisecrack

Shaquille O'Neal in attendance in the first quarter during the 2020 NBA All Star Game at United Center. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Shaquille O’Neal seemingly takes offense to Charles Barkley wisecrack

Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 5/19/21

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal were back at it during TNT’s coverage Tuesday night of the NBA play-in tournament’s opening games, and things got a little awkward and a bit personal on this occasion.

The outspoken “Inside the NBA” analysts having it out has long been part and parcel of the iconic “Inside the NBA” studio show, but Barkley arguably crossed the line Tuesday night with a wisecrack made at O’Neal’s personal expense. And Shaq wasn’t having it.

It all started when O’Neal mused about who Robin Lopez reminds him of when the panel was breaking down the Washington Wizards-Boston Celtics showdown. That’s when things took a turn for the worse.

Barkley replied to Shaq’s comment with some cold-blooded smack talk, saying, “Who, your grandma?”

"I will reach across this table…"

Gonna be some furniture moving if Chuck talks to Shaq like that again. pic.twitter.com/d1kgKChXnc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 19, 2021

Suffice to say, Shaq was not amused and let Sir Charles know about it.

“There’s two mamas you don’t play with,” O’Neal said. “My mama and my grandma. I will reach across the table and knock your face off.”

It merits noting this is not the first time Shaq has threatened his “Inside the NBA” cohort with physical violence, but this interaction almost had a more serious tone to it despite O’Neal chuckling when he uttered his comeback.

As noted, O’Neal and Barkley having it out is of course business as usual on “Inside the NBA,” and it’s part of the reason why the program is widely regarded as the best sports studio show in television history.

What’s more, both O’Neal and Barkley are well aware of how the on-air fireworks between them keeps viewers glued to their televisions every time the duo share the same oversized desk.

This article first appeared on Sportress of Blogitude and was syndicated with permission.

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