“My A** Is Not That Big”: Shaquille O’Neal, Who Once Wrestled With 76ers Legend in $10,000 Rich Suits, Locks in Fierce Battle Ahead of NBA on TNT Return

Even when they’re not in the same space, Shaquille O’Neal will not miss the opportunity to take a jab at his eternal frenemy. He’s going to return to the TNT studio once the new NBA season begins in October. Until then, the Big Diesel is going about his offseason activities and dragging along a fellow Inside Guy. He’s also locked in a one-sided competition with his other NBA legend co-host and his bitterness over losing shows.

Shaq is on a wellness streak now. So is Charles Barkley. Upset about Chuck’s progress, O’Neal is taking every opportunity to express his animosity with Barkley while he’s not around to defend himself.

Shaquille O’Neal takes on his co-host from a distance

While the NBA is on break, Shaquille O’Neal is handling his non-basketball activities, like deejaying at music festivals and operating his multiple businesses. He’s a new investor in the AI space through Edsoma. He stopped by the TechCrunch Disrupt to talk about the edtech startup this month. But something bugged him right away.

“I want to let you know I’m upset,” he told the host of the event right away. “This is the Charles Barkley seat. My a** is not that big, just saying.” He was referring to his exclusive white couch in the middle while the moderator, Matthew Panzerino, and Edsoma CEO, Kyle Walgren sat on separate smaller armchairs.

Shaq and Chuck haven’t been face-to-face for a while since Inside the NBA is not on air right now. Both have used the offseason to focus on themselves. O’Neal and Barkley are working hard on shedding some pounds and getting fitter. The Big Aristotle is 55 lbs. lighter and wants to come down to 325 lbs. However, The Round Mound of the Rebound has him beat with a 65 lb. weight loss.

The 76ers star’s new fit has been gaining attention wherever he goes too. His co-panelist is probably not pleased and used an innocent couch to put Barkley on the hot seat. Sir Charles didn’t even have anything to do with the TechCrunch convention.

That doesn’t stop the ever-present banter. As soon as the talk began, Shaq declared, “Charles if you’re watching, yes I hate you.” We somehow find that hard to believe.

The four-time NBA champion is clearly getting all the jabs in while he can.

READ MORE: Having Witnessed His Sister’s Devastating Battle, Shaquille O’Neal Offers Comfort to One Cancer Patient in Dallas

Once the NBA season begins in October, the Inside crew will kickstart their weekly banter on air.

Shaq wants to manhandle Charles Barkley

The veteran NBA analysts have faced off 19 times in their respective playing careers. Nonetheless, they seize every opportunity to go at each other. They once brawled in a parking lot while dressed in expensive $10,000 suits out of the blue.

At Disrupt, Walgren disclosed his rodeo past. Shaq retorted that he was not getting anywhere near a bull with one exception. “I’m not riding no damn bull… I might ride Charles Barkley’s fat a**.”

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He went after Barkley’s weight loss too, stating there’s no way both of them could fit on that single couch. He instead inserted a tidbit about his new healthy eating practices. Fans can compare Shaq and Chuck when they return to Inside the NBA which has a lot of room to fit both of them.