Shouting Match Erupts as Shaq and Charles Barkley Go Head-to-Head Over Major Disagreement

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal love getting into friendly banter on live television whenever they can. However, that was not the case today with the above two Hall of Famers. Ahead of game 3 of the Sixers vs. Knicks, Barkley and Shaq got into it after they had a difference of opinion, and Barkley’s words pointed at Shaq, offended the latter, and also had him raising his voice on the live broadcast. 

This started when Shaquille O’Neal told Charles Barkley, “You told me I got to get the guys going, no, you gotta get your own.“ Before Shaq could finish, Barkley interrupted, “That’s what great players do, help other players battle. You can’t just get your numbers, that’s a selfish player.“ This line from the Chuckster triggered Shaq, who decided to raise his voice at the former. Shaq replied to the Philadelphia 76ers legend, “You gotta be ready to play today. When I get doubled and kick it to you, you gotta hit the shot.” 

Hilariously, that was the same thing Barkley was trying to convey. Anyhow, Shaq was not ready to hear any of it from Barkley. He continued, “You gotta get yourself going, that’s not my job. My job is to make the right play”, and what Barkley meant by right play was, attracting a double team, and passing it out to the open player.

Even though the Sixers icon tried his best to reiterate his point, Shaquille O’Neal had no ears. The Los Angeles Lakers legend finally said, “Bro, making the right play is a part of being a great player. Don’t talk to me like I’m not a great player.“ This is where we know Shaq took it personally!

Shaq and Barkley had their say, but Kenny Smith was the judge today, who clarified the confusion.

Who did Kenny Smith side with? 

Smith took a moment to clear the air on the sets of Studio J. He said, “This is gonna excite me as a player in that position…Forget all the plays we are talking about. When we come out, the first four possessions, throw it to me. I’m like, ‘Oh, he’s ready’. Now I’m excited. But then, I’m gonna tell him, ‘Listen, you know what though if they double you, I am on fire tonight’.” Charles Barkley even thanked Smith for siding with him.

However, Shaq would still not let it go. He felt Smith made the same point as he did. Shaq said, “Yeah, but that’s not based on what you [Barkley] said. That’s based on what I said.” Ironically, they were both right here! Sadly, it was too late for Shaq and Barkley to agree with each other!