It’s game 7 between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, the deciding match for the 2024 Stanley Cup winners in a series tied 3-3. It’s the game to be. And sports biggest names couldn’t miss it in person. Charles Barkley having regained the undying love of NHL fans after his playoff silliness, is one of them. Joining him at his box in the Amerant Bank Arena, was quite an unexpected visitor: Stephen A. Smith. The ESPN analyst was there for work and entertainment and also to catch up with his old friend.

Contrary to the usual banter between the two rivals, Chuck and Smith looked like they were enjoying themselves. Both posed for a group picture with others and interacted with spectators. Smith saved his non-work update from the game after meeting Barkley and wrote, “Having a blast!” 

Chuckster was sporting Panthers red and Smith subtly hid a Florida Panthers cap under his suit. So we know who they’re rooting for and they would’ve been celebratory as the Panthers won the game 2-1 to become the 2024 Stanley Cup champs.

No one knows what they talked about but maybe Chuck was trying to convince Smith his recent major announcement is real. During the NBA Finals, Barkley appeared on NBA TV where he stated that he will be retiring from TNT after the 2024-25 season. Everyone’s been in disbelief since, including Stephen A. Smith. Much like TNT analyst Reggie Miller downplaying it, Smith addressed it on his self-titled show claiming his TNT counterpart is bluffing.

“I’m not in any way calling Charles Barkley a liar. I think that Charles Barkley is very sincere. I just don’t think it’s gonna happen. I don’t think Charles Barkley is leaving,” Smith said. The ESPN analyst went on to praise Chuck’s signature lovable personality fans love and recently made him popular among hockey fans. He ended up saying, “I’m not saying he’s lying. I’m saying, don’t believe he’s gone for good. Don’t believe it. I don’t believe it for one second. 

Even taking a jab at Barkley’s longstanding policy that he doesn’t want to be a fool who’s still working at 70, Smith had said, the 61-year-old, “ain’t 80!” and has a lot to give to the sports world. Smith is right. Barkley’s personality has the hockey community ready to steal him from basketball lovers.

Stephen A. Smith’s colleagues poaching Chuck

Charles Barkley stopped by the NHL on TNT studio to curse the Toronto Maple Leafs with the Chuck Guarantee during the playoffs. He has since redeemed himself during the Stanley Cup Finals. He popped up on ESPN’s mid-game broadcast, shared hilarious stories about Shaq, dropped accidental F-bombs, and said Mark Messier owes him $5,000.

15 minutes of Chuckster put Game 2 on the backburner. NHL fans made all sorts of pleas to retain Chuck on TV even before he announced his retirement. Pleas went to the ESPN social media pages to steal Chuck from TNT though Barkley explicitly stated in his retirement statement he is not entertaining other networks. ESPN’s Steve Levy even joked Sir Charles is the “newest member of ESPN’s NBA coverage.”

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We know a certain someone at First Take will love that. Even if Chuck will make Smith miserable with his on air trolling, it will be a “blast.”