NBA legend Charles Barkley has spent the past few years building a repo with fellow NBA great Shaquille O’Neal. Having started off as rivals, the duo have used their post-retirement time to form a memorable bond. From taking moments to roast each other behind the scenes to defending each other on live TV, the Hall of Famers have become not only a source of entertainment for NBA enthusiasts but also a source of inspiration. In a recent podcast, Barkley brought out a life-altering decision to the open. From the looks of it, it seems like the world may have to bid adieu to this dynamic duo within the next few years.
A few days ago, Charles Barkley sat down for an interview with the ?SI Media With Jimmy Traina? podcast. During the same, Barkley drew focus on the thing that has kept him in the spotlight even after retirement: His role as an NBA Analyst on TNT.
Charles Barkley reveals his wish to bid adieu to ?NBA On TNT? soon
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Having recently signed a ten-year deal worth $100 million, Barkley let out some truth bombs about this longtime engagement. The 1993 MVP confessed that he had spent some sleepless nights trying to figure out what would be the best time to retire from his famous TV gig. Stating that he has been ?doing this sh*t 23 years?, the Chuckster feels that it is long overdue for him to make his exit from the highly acclaimed ?NBA on TNT? show.
“There?s no chance in hell I?m gonna be working when I?m seventy. Zero,”?said Barkley during the interview. “You want to walk away while the show is still successful, or you want us to go like ?Hey man, we?re really sick of seeing y?all faces after all these years.'”
Jimmy Traina highlighted Barkley?s comment about not being a part of the TNT show after 70. Given the fact that the show is reportedly so successful and a favorite amongst NBA circles, Traina wanted to know why the former player would even consider walking away.
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Barkley replied that he was very ?realistic? about age. While he claimed to be not afraid of something like death, Barkley wished to be in a situation where he didn?t have to work at the end of his life.
Conveying his wish to spend more time with his two grandkids, Barkley made it clear that he wanted to be available during his and their golden days.
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Charles Barkley’s time with ‘NBA on TNT’ has been a memorable one
Barkley?s time with ?NBA on TNT? has been one of his most memorable stints post-retirement. And he has not been alone on this journey. Joining him in the adventure has been Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O?Neal, former Houston Rockets guard Kenny Smith, and sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr.
From making fun of Barkley?s comments to roasting other individuals, the four analysts have worked together to create an environment that?s not only filled with information but also fun and laughter. The chemistry between the 76ers legend and O?Neal was one that fans have found both hilarious and heartwarming.
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All good things, however, must come to an end. From what Charles Barkley recently disclosed, that end may be coming sooner than people expected.