Charles Barkley gets brutally honest about Shaq brawl - 'We fight like girls'
Over the course of their respective careers, first as NBA players and later as members of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” studio team, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have had more beef than a fast-food burger joint.
But back in November 1999, when Barkley’s Rockets faced O’Neal’s Lakers early in O’Neal’s first championship season, things escalated and a fight broke out.
Almost two decades later, Barkley is getting brutally honest about the infamous brawl.
“It was an NBA fight which means … we fight like girls,” Barkley told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson in an interview posted Sunday.
Shaq appeared to commit a foul while blocking Barkley’s shot, which led Barkley to throw the ball at O’Neal’s head. This in turn prompted O’Neal to throw a punch.
“I’m glad nobody got hurt because he’s a great friend,” Barkley told Robinson. “I enjoy working with him.”
This ultimate case of “Shaqtin’ a Fool” may have been the first time the two scrapped, but it wouldn’t be the last.
Indeed, the pair have a history of play-fighting on set.
At the time, O’Neal had his own perspective on the brawl.
“He was doing all that wild monkey (stuff), throwing (elbows), acting crazy,” O’Neal said.
“I think that was a tactic to get me out of the game, and it worked. I’ll probably have to be a little smarter next time, just wait to get him back later.”
Considering the Lakers won the championship that year while the Rockets went 34-48 and failed to make the playoffs, O’Neal effectively did get back at Barkley.
As for both men’s views on fights between NBA players today, that was best summed up in January after Chris Paul of the Rockets tried to get into the Los Angeles Clippers’ locker room, possibly to fight with Blake Griffin (who is ten inches taller and 76 pounds heavier than his ex-teammate). Police were called to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.
Can't we just hug it out, y'all?
Chuck and Shaq couldn't believe it when they heard about last night's reported locker room altercation following the Rockets and Clippers game 😂😂😂. pic.twitter.com/Tv59QxyHCX
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 16, 2018
Barkley and O’Neal could hardly contain themselves, with Barkley saying between peals of uproarious laughter, “I played in the NBA for 16 years, and I’ve been on TV for 18 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a police presence.”
“Hello police, Chris Paul trying to beat me up,” said O’Neal, who was similarly unable to control his reaction.
It’s clear the two men’s rivalry has gone from antagonism on the court to good-natured friendship in the studio, and the real winners here are their “Inside the NBA” cohosts, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, who have the best seat in the house for the show.
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