The former stars turned analysts, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have often been spotted getting on one another’s backs on TNT’s “Inside the NBA”. Even while being on vacation as his contract with the show ended, the Phoenix Suns legend could not stop entertaining the fans with his reason for choosing Gary Bettman above Shaq on his best friends list.
On Monday, when Barkley was seen with the ESPN team covering the second clash between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers for the Stanley Cup Finals, he was asked to rank his best friends Shaq and the NHL Commissioner. Chuck chose the latter and had a hilarious reason behind it.
Justifying his choice, “Sir Charles” said, “Gary Bettman gets me seats. If you go be with Shaq you gotta smoke hookah and I don’t smoke hookah. Gary Bettman always takes care of me,” on hearing this a chorus of laughter filled the studio.
Barkley amused the panel members with his dig at the Lakers’ big man, but it was meant in a light humor. Despite their constant fights and mockery on the set, Shaq disclosed having a high regard for the 61-year-old.
Shaq Looked Up to Charles Barkley
Even though O’Neal is often seen pulling Barkley’s leg quite literally, on his appearance on “The Draymond Green Show”, Shaq revealed that he looked up to the 11-time All-Star in his league days.
Talking to the Warriors veteran Green, Shaq said, “I’m like you, I will fight you and do whatever… I never had no problems with Charles. It’s the same way you look up to me, I looked up to Charles. Charles let me know it was okay to elbow a motherf***er in the mouth. My father used to tell me; you need to be like Barkley.”
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The big man further narrated a story of their well-known on-court fight, which got sorted out after Barkley’s mother scolded the two and asked them to hug it out. Despite their love-hate relationship on the court and the show, the duo share mutual love and respect for each other.
