Shaquille O’Neal finally did it. After all the preseason threats, Shaq was spurred into executing them on Charles Barkley. The 7’1″ giant was inspired by Draymond Green and maybe Chuck himself to act on it. The result was signature hilarity. Don’t worry though, Barkley lived to tell the tale. He even displayed what to do in the face of your rival’s violence.

O’Neal spent the off-season sending threats to Barkley who ignored most of them. But it wasn’t until Draymond Green’s on-court altercation that Big Diesel acted on them.

Shaquille O’Neal gets physical with frenemy on air

It was the loudest chokehold ever. Draymond Green will never live this down for as long as the Inside Crew exists. After all, the crew enjoyed a live adaptation of Green’s hold on Gobert. Just when they thought the subject changed to something else, O’Neal went across the table and got Chuck in a headlock. With no help from anyone, Barkley could only take it silently.

The NBA on TNT page on X shared the funny clip of Shaq’s chokehold with slight disbelief in the comment, “Shaq really put Chuck in a chokehold.”

It started with Kenny “The Jet” Smith talking about a relative’s wedding. So O’Neal got up under the guise of giving Smith a congratulatory hug. Everyone knew what was coming because Smith resisted claiming, “I consent to the hug.” Even Ernie Johnson yelled, “he’s trying to get to Chuck.”

But O’Neal just bypassed Kenny and put his arms around Sir Charles’ head. “Yeah, you gonna say something,” O’Neal goaded. To his credit, he didn’t fight at all. He wanted to act cool for sure with his arms folded. But Smith did try to end his misery sooner by making Barkley’s hand slap the table. “Tap out, tap out,” Smith chanted on behalf of his friend but Shaq kept him in that hold for a few extra seconds.

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The Inside Guys are staying on theme today. Earlier, they were discussing the altercation that broke out at the start of the Timberwolves vs Warriors game. Barkley’s sense of humor and silent acceptance of Shaq’s violence were not emulated by the pros. Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniel’s got into a shoving match that even ripped Thompson’s jersey. Rudy Gobert broke up that fight only to end up Green’s chokehold.

Thompson, Green, and McDaniels were ejected from the game within the first two minutes. After the Wolves won, 104-101, analysts are discussing if there will be further consequences. O’Neal has no such thing to worry about as he continues to terrorize Barkley.

Charles Barkley will always be on Shaq’s radar

Before the regular NBA season started, Big Diesel was setting the stage for his face-off with Chuck in the TNT studio.

The 4-time NBA champion was on The Jennifer Hudson Show when he addressed Barkley through the camera with, “Charles I hate you. When I come to work next week, I’mma punch you right in the face.”

Not the first time Shaq has said it but it appears he needed to see Green in action to act on these impulses. Barkley, for his part, has come a long way from his hotheaded days.

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In the prime of his NBA career, he wouldn’t be above a brawl or two. He’s more zen now until the TNT digs up his past. TNT viewers live for this very banter. What did you think about this hilarous duo’s latest antics?