Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have a knack for stirring up trouble, and Kendrick Perkins knows it all too well. A few months ago, they took their banter to new heights, using Perkins’ face as a punching bag—literally. Not on the court, though, but during a live show where Shaq and Chuck hilariously demonstrated their boxing skills. Things got heated as the trio traded playful jabs, but the tension ramped up when ESPN announced the second-ever NBA Countdown x Inside the NBA crossover. Naturally, Perkins saw this as the perfect chance to settle the score, court-style.

This isn’t the first time ESPN and TNT have joined forces. In 2023, they teamed up for the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament. This year, the hype is already sky-high, with Shaq and Chuck teasing fans about a possible on-court face-off.

“What I propose is four on four. Kendrick Perkins, somebody else against us, four. In a what? In a one game to 12,” Shaq declared with his signature confidence. Not to be outdone, Charles Barkley chimed in, “Hey, Shaq, if that happens, I got Perk.”

But Perkins had a response of his own. While health concerns rule out a full-fledged game, he threw down a different kind of challenge—a three-point shootout. “You know what, look, my playing day is over, OK? And I changed my life. But I’m never backing down from a competition,” Perkins admitted.

“I don’t need to be in an ice tub after, you know what I’m saying, the cup.” He was quick to add, “I ain’t doing no playing, no moving around. I don’t even run anymore. I actually go for walks.”

As the highly anticipated crossover episode approaches, set to hit ESPN and ABC in the 2025-26 season, fans are buzzing. While we wait for the ultimate TNT vs. ESPN face-off, let’s see why Perkins has an edge over Shaq and Chuck as an analyst.

Kendrick Perkins is ahead of Chuck and Shaq

Just a few months ago, Kendrick Perkins secured his spot as one of ESPN’s go-to analysts, with NBACentral announcing on X: “ESPN has signed Kendrick Perkins to a multi-year extension.” The deal ensures Perkins’ presence across NBA Countdown, NBA Today, First Take, and even Hoop Streams. But he’s not the only one getting a bigger role. According to The Athletic, other network stars, including Tim Legler, Monica McNutt, and Chiney Ogwumike, are also sticking around for the long haul.

Meanwhile, over at TNT, Vince Carter is back with a fresh deal, but the bigger picture for NBA media rights remains uncertain. While Charles Barkley reassured fans Inside the NBA is here to stay, there’s still some mystery surrounding the future of Shaq, Chuck, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. With the league’s media rights deal in limbo, questions about TNT’s basketball coverage hang in the air.

But here’s the thing—Perkins versus Chuck and Shaq aren’t exactly new. Perkins once criticized the duo for not paying close enough attention to games, particularly when the Knicks surged ahead in the East. “It’s obviously [that] they don’t watch basketball,” Perkins remarked, taking a direct shot at the TNT legends.

Shaq, never one to stay quiet, clapped back on X: “Can a non-Hall of Famer speak on two Hall of Famers? Just asking.” The exchange didn’t stop there as the beef spilled into social media and live shows, and now maybe on the court too.