Charles Barkley Punched Shaquille O?Neal on National TV and Ran for His Life in Chaotic Scenes 5 Years Ago

NBA legend Shaquille O?Neal is one of the funniest guys around. The towering center is a certified comedian who could make anyone else. Even during his prime, he was a fun teammate who always does something to lighten the mood of the team. Although he has been retired for some years, he is always a center of media attraction. Shaq connects with his fans in not one but multiple ways. He is very active on social media and shares random funny stuff.

On the other hand, he gives various interviews and podcasts. He also has his own podcast called ‘Big Podcast with Shaq’. Also, O’Neal works as a basketball analyst for the ‘NBA on TNT’ crew. The other crew members are NBA legends Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson.

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And Lakers legend’s antics on the show with the 76ers legend are one of the main attractions. The duo pulls each other’s legs in more ways than one. The two of the most feared big men once are one of the funniest duos on TV at the moment. They have surely mellowed down with age, however, their aggression peaks out a little at times.

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal square up

A few years back, on the sets of ‘NBA on TNT’, Barkley punched Shaquille O’Neal on National TV. During the show, Kenny Smith was shown getting by a defender to the lane. And suddenly Shaq’s body checks Smith as if to show that he will be waiting for players driving in. While everyone was looking at this, out of nowhere, Chuck hilariously punches ‘the Big Diesel’ on the chest and runs away.

O’Neal started chasing him a bit, but then laughed it off while the whole crew broke out laughing. It was like little kids fighting. But make no mistake, Shaq and Barkley were two of the meanest guys on the basketball court. And there was a time when an actual fight broke out between them during a game.

In 1999, when Barkley and the Houston Rockets faced Shaq and the Lakers, things flared up. Chuck received the ball under the ring and was fouled by a Laker after a pump fake. Shaq was close by and when Barkley again went for the pump fake, he tried to block him and then pushed him. So the triggered Barkley threw the ball on Shaq’s face who took a swipe at Barkley and missed.

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Chuck not just anticipated the punch and moved out the way, but he also took down the big O’Neal. Then the two had to be separated by teammates. After this altercation, both players were ejected from the game. But the two legends are now best buddies.