It’s easy to forget between the bantering and play slap fights but Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal do tend to see eye to eye. Both Hall of Famers separately commented that Katt Williams may have toed the line during his contentious interview with Shannon Sharpe. They however had slightly differing recommendations on how the comedian, who’s a friend to both of them, should handle it.

On The Big Podcast, Shaq reflected on how Williams’ commentary comes from fierce competition among comedians. The All-Star Comedy Jam creator said, “In real life there’s a rule, Adam [Lefkoe], it’s called mind your business.” O’Neal reiterated he’s followed that. For instance, he tries not to comment on things outside the basketball realm. “I’m an old school cat and I always follow the the old school rule of mind your goddamn business.” 

Unlike Shaq’s philosophy, Charles Barkley has no problem talking about everything under the sun. He explained his unabashed policy on Wednesday morning in NYC, recommending it to Katt Williams too.

“When you say something, it’s your truth. That doesn’t make it truth.” Chuck would know. He’s been in hot water for his commentary too but he owns it. He brought up how he’s a good friend to Katt Williams as well as the subjects of his feud like Kevin Hart. “I like all those guys, they’re all trying to make a great living. But you have to remember something, when you say something it’s your truth. That doesn’t make it THE truth.” 

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Both aren’t very critical of Williams and do count him among their mutual circle of friends. It gives them enough liberty to weaponize the smack-talking comedian against each other.

Charles Barkley once threatened Shaquille O’Neal with Katt Williams

There’s a reason Barkley wants Katt Williams to keep owning his words. He wants to use him to instill some fear in a certain 7’1″ giant. He made that known on Inside the NBA shortly after the much-talked-about Shannon Sharpe interview.

Shaq and Chuck were locked in an argument over what makes a championship team. When O’Neal tried to get Kenny Smith on his side, Barkley called him a “Dumba**.” So Shaq came back with, “Dumba** got four,” referring to his four championships. That’s four more than what Chuck’s NBA career saw.

Barkley fired back that O’Neal rode on Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade’s coattails and was ready to play dirtier. “Don’t make me call Katt Williams on your a**! Katt, get him.” 

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Katt Williams spared his two NBA titan friends on Club Shay Shay. But if it came down to it, it would be interesting to see whose side he would pick.