Multiple opinions on Charles Barkley‘s retirement announcement, but none from his co-host Shaquille O’Neal. It is common knowledge that ‘Inside the NBA’ has had Barkley, Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson as its core. Chuck and Shaq’s frequent hilarious give and take has quite often left the fans in splits. So there were expectations of some form of public opinion from Big Diesel on Barkley’s declaration. Now, we do have some future announcements from the 3x NBA champ, but unrelated to ‘Inside the NBA’. 

In his life update on X, the ex-LA Lakers star highlighted he is done with this season’s NBA schedule. And it seems it’s time for him to get back to his side quests. But the one mentioned in his post is more of a passion than a side quest. Notably, the 4x NBA champ is getting back to his love for music as DJ Diesel. “Diesel Festival season starts now!” he wrote in his X post.

The fact his fans crashed websites for the LA Shrine Show and Orlando Block Party reflects his craze. Shaquille O’Neal had recently announced a one-night performance as DJ Diesel at LA’s Shrine Auditorium on August 23, 2024. Apart from this, the 15x All-Star also announced other shows, one in Buffalo on August 17 and his Bass All-Stars in Orlando on October 19.

Meanwhile, in his recent post on X, he also spotlighted the upcoming Europe tour and the SBA Festival Announcement. So it’s clear Shaq is not letting the ‘Inside the NBA’ thing affect his peace of mind. 

However, Barkley’s situation was different, as it was him whose name was being linked with different networks for future possibilities. In fact, before mentioning next year will be his last in the television industry, the 11x All-Star emphasized he no longer wants all these interviews. “I’m not gonna talk about this cr*p anymore,” he said on NBA TV. However, his others who have shared a screen with him on TNT are in denial. Could this be the thing with Shaquille O’Neal as well, that he has not accepted this news to be true?  

Draymond Green does not believe in Charles Barkey’s retirement announcement

It is worth mentioning Green has quite a few times shared a seat with Barkley on ‘Inside the NBA’. And after Reggie Miller not wanting to believe in Chuck’s announcement, now Green has also stated he does not think Barkley is about to retire. He believes the 11x star is in an emotional state as of now and processing his emotions.

Earlier, Miller on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ had considered the possibility of this being a power attempt on Barkley’s end to make TNT retain NBA’s rights. And now, Green has also stated the 11x All Star could have reacted on the spur of the moment. Even Chuck had himself mentioned on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ last month that “the morale sucks” in the TNT studios.

And Green believes there is an extent to what an individual can tolerate. “One day you may wake up and be like, ‘You know what, I’m done with this stuff, I’m out of here,'” he said. But the 4x NBA champ also believes after a certain period, the perception could turn into something like “‘I’m not retiring, what was I thinking?'” And he expects something similar from Charles Barkley, but we’ll have to wait for the next season to examine this claim. 

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.