NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have been in the media business together for the better part of a decade. The Hall of Fame duo has revolutionized modern sports TV with their expert analysis coupled with clever banter. However, a success story doesn’t build itself, it takes the contributions of people working behind the scenes. In this case, it definitely stands true as the long-time producer of Inside the NBA revealed inside details of how the show came into existence.

Shaq and Chuck’s duo is an absolute treat to watch for millions of fans. Both of them are strongly opinionated people with great knowledge of the game. But it is their constant banter that hooks the audience and makes the show entertaining for fans. Recently, the show’s producer explained what he saw in the duo as a recipe for a successful TV show.

NBA on TNT producer recalls Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley wrestling in San Antonio

The two NBA legends have given the fans countless fun moments. Often butting heads against one another and placing bets on random challenges, Shaq and Chuck are arguably the funniest people on sports television. The show hosted by Earnie Johnson features Kenny Smith along with Sir Charles and the Big Aristotle.

Inside the NBA is consistently rated among the best sports analysis shows on TV. The show has also won 17 Sports Emmy Awards in its history. Its long-time producer Tim Kiely recently appeared The Steam Room to detail the inception of Inside the NBA, which started with a wrestling match between Shaq and Chuck.

Responding to a fan’s question, “TK, when did you first know that Chuck and Shaq would work well together?”, Kiely recalled his encounter with the legendary duo in San Antonio. He said, “We were in San Antonio and you [Chuck] were working for us and Shaq was still playing for the Lakers.”

Kiely recalled a black limo pulling up to them, while he and Barkley had gone for a walk, and a voice yelling, “F*CK CHARLES BARKLEY”. Afraid that things are going to go wrong from here, Kiely was surprised to discover that it was Shaq.

Subsequently, Shaq ran toward Sir Charles and tackled him. Kiely said “Hers’s two of you guys in your $10k suits, wrestling in a sh*tty parking lot in San Antonio. And when I saw that and I said if we can get that guy on the show, we’ll have something special.”

Crazy to think that all this recognition and success came from Shaq and Chuck wrestling in a parking lot in San Antonio.

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Charles Barkley explains a lesser-known fact about his relationship with Shaquille O’Neal

The 11x NBA All-Star said that people don’t understand that the two have been friends for a long time. In fact, their mothers were best friends even before their superstar sons made it big in the NBA. Chuck also recalled their mothers calling them into the locker room after the two got into a fight during a game. He said that they made Shaq and Chuck go for dinner together after the game so the two can get back on good terms.

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