“I Would Never Fight Your Big A**”: Charles Barkley, Who Once Squared off with 324 Lbs Shaquille O’Neal, Gets Emotional on Live TV

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is often seen messing around with TNT co-host and NBA veteran Charles Barkley on the set of NBA on TNT. The hilarious moments between the two NBA legends have often turned into heated discussions on LIVE TV. However, the long-time buddies always come around and have continued to entertain the fans for many years. Recently, Charles Barkley, who once squared off with 324 lbs Shaquille O’Neal, got emotional on LIVE TV while making an honest admission about the Lakers legend.

During a recent segment, a glimpse of the final episode of Shaquille O’Neal‘s four-part docuseries, From Shaquille to Shaq, was showcased on ‘Inside the NBA’. In the trailer, the four-time NBA champ addressed the problems with his failed marriage and shared his regrets about his personal life decisions. Moreover, Shaq also claimed that he was responsible for all his regretful experiences in the past.

The footage from the fourth episode left O’Neal a little vulnerable. The Lakers legend claimed that he showcased the bad aspects of his personality to depict his growth as a person over the years. However, Charles Barkley soon chimed in with some emotional words for the Big Diesel.

Charles Barkley makes an emotional admission about Shaquille O’Neal

During the episode, the teaser of the documentary triggered a story from Charles Barkley, involving Shaq’s mother Lucille O’Neal, and his mother Charcey Glenn. Barkley shared that O’Neal and his mother, along with their friend Martha, used to take several vacations together each year. The 59-year-old indicated that he and Shaq knew each other for a long time by telling the story.

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Moreover, Barkley addressed the rumors about Shaq and him hating each other. Fans often wonder about O’Neal and Barkley’s complicated relationship due to their heated arguments on and off the court in the past.

During the show, Charles Barkley told Shaq that everyone makes mistakes. He claimed that Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most genuine and fun people he had met. The 1993 MVP also complimented Shaq for his dominant career in the NBA by deeming it ‘self-explanatory’.

Further, Barkley added, “But I tell people, man, I love messing with you on the show. I would never fight your big a**, Number 1, not fair. But, you have had an amazing life and I’m glad to share it with you.”

Barkley was left emotional as he revealed what Shaquille O’Neal’s friendship meant to him and how far they had come together. The honest words from the NBA veteran persuaded Shaq to get up and give Barkley a hug and a kiss on his head, in what was one of the most emotional and wholesome moments in NBA television.

Barkley squared off against 324 lbs Shaq

Back in the 1990s, Shaquille O’Neal was with the Lakers and Charles Barkley was with the Houston Rockets. The two ended up having a massive physical altercation during a game between the Lakers and the Rockets. Nearly 23 years ago, the Rockets hosted the Lakers for a game during which Barley refused to back down while defending against 324lbs Shaq.

Eventually, things got really heated and the two NBA veterans ended up squaring off against each other. By the time the players and officials separated O’Neal and Barkley, Shaq had already punched Charles in the face.

However, the two NBA legends reconciled after the game and went for dinner together. As per reports, Barkley paid for the dinner and the duo has remained friends ever since.

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