The regular season is back and so is NBA on TNT. That marks the regular Inside the NBA shenanigans. Kicking off the 2024-25 opener, like a lucky charm is a jab at Charles Barkley’s ringless career. A fan’s comment changed the debate subject from the Lakers to championships; It split the Inside Guys right down the middle. Shaq and Ernie took the fan’s side while Kenny defended Chuck’s honor. But that just made Shaquille O’Neal aggressively change Kenny’s mind.

The tense but hilarious went down in the post game show after the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 110-103. Barkley still lacks confidence in the Lakers who he calls a 9th seed team. Lakers legend Shaq clapped back calling him a “Lakers Hater.” Fans agreed with Shaq, including one named Matt Murphy who tweeted, “Ringless Barkley is such a Lakers hater.”

The TNT crew aired the post knowing exactly the chaos it would cause.”Hey man, don’t worry about my rings,” Chuck initially says and proceeds to scorch the fan. “Matt, I love when people call me ringless like my life sucks. My life is better than yours Matt.”

During that, O’Neal inserted, “Thank you Matt, tell him,” and Ernie Johnson asked Chuck, “What do you know about Matt’s life?” 

But Chuckster doubled down with a direct jab at the man with four rings at the other end of the table. “I don’t have to have no ring. You don’t want to brag about your ring, you and Matt. Matt just an idiot like you are.”

However, things went downhill when 2x champion, Kenny “The Jet” Smith blurted, “I have to agree with Chuck on this one. ” It offended Shaq so severely, “Hey, listen Kenny if you ever disrespect the rings again, me and you gonna have problems.” That was so persuasive, Kenny retracted his statement. But Charles Barkley held his own.

Rings or nothing for Shaq

There’s never a week on Inside the NBA without Shaq reminding Chuck, “I have four more rings than you.” Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t put emphasis on it for nothing. On The Big Podcast, he admitted that after four rings, he measures athletes by titles and wins. He named Angel Reese as LSU’s GOAT over himself because she won the NCAA title.

Recently, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith stirred controversy with their top 50 picks. Chuck and Kenny’s criteria was based on factors like scoring and defense. Shaq based his on winning.

However, Barkley maintains he has no regrets in his career as, “Very few people got a better life than me.” That was the part Kenny agreed with. He tried to tell Shaq he didn’t mean disrespect to their respective championships and believes Chuck’s life is better than most people’s.

Now the only way we can settle that is if Matt Murphy pulls out the reciepts.