Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have a long-standing rivalry on and off the basketball court. With an 11-8 winning record against Barkley, O’Neal has always relished their competitive moments. Nevertheless, one win stands out as his favorite, which he recalled recently.
Shaq shared a clip of this memorable event on his Instagram story, reminding fans of a light-hearted yet intense showdown that occurred over a decade ago.
In May 2013, NBA fans saw an entertaining contest between O’Neal and Barkley on the TNT studio floor. The challenge was that the first to make a basket would be declared the winner. Their fellow crew member sealed the friendly competition, Kenny Smith, who took on the role of a bookie.
Despite the playful nature of the event, the crew couldn’t help but pick sides and show their support. Smith revealed that four crew members placed their bets on Barkley while he and three others backed Shaq.
Nevertheless, it quickly escalated into a three-point shootout. In the end, Shaq managed to sink the crucial shot, securing his victory over Barkley. Although in a friendly setting, this win has remained a cherished memory for O’Neal.
The recent Instagram post by a fan account brought this iconic moment back into the spotlight. Shaq, reminiscing about the friendly competition, couldn’t resist sharing it with his followers. The post sparked a wave of nostalgia among fans, reminding them of the playful rivalry between the two.
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Shaquille O’Neal boasts third place on highest paid NBA players list
Shaquille O’Neal’s multifaceted career has made him a legendary NBA player and significantly boosted his financial status. As of 2024, the retired NBA star’s net worth is $500 million.
Recently, Shaq shared another one of his financial achievements as an NBA player. He posted a picture on his Instagram story that highlighted his impressive earnings. The picture featured his third-place ranking among the highest-paid NBA players of all time with $1.21 billion.
Michael Jordan leads the list. His remarkable earnings total $3.75 billion, making him the highest-paid NBA player ever. LeBron James follows closely behind, having recently garnered praise from Shaq.
The list of highest-paid players also includes several other basketball legends. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul round out the top earners.
