It’s not a game till Chuck and Shaq bet against each other. Their former teams are playing, so it warrants a little wager. Shaquille O’Neal did try to drag his frenemy into some high-stakes competition. But Charles Barkley is not ready to go all in against Shaq so easily. He held back and stated his personal but hilarious reason for not putting his money where his mouth is.

The Phoenix Suns played against the Los Angeles Lakers, aka Charles Barkley’s and Shaquille O’Neal’s teams (Shaq played for Phoenix too, but he was in his prime with the Lakers). The TNT crew made the odds exciting, with some wagering among themselves.

Both teams in these quarterfinals were neck-and-neck. Before the Knockout game began, Chuck’s Suns were going 12-8 and Shaq’s Lakers were going 12-9.

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“Lakers by 15,” the Lakers’ three-time champion said. “They’re only one game behind Phoenix. So it’s not like it’s a big difference.” 

Across from him, Barkley declared, “I’m gonna disagree with the Big Fella. I’m going with my Suns tonight.” 

With Shaq chanting, “betting” to goad the seasoned sports-betting enthusiast, Barkley declared, “You make a lot on yourself. 15 million!” That is indeed the $60 million worth former Suns star and proud Arizona resident, Charles Barkley, putting $15 million on the Devin Booker-led squad.

Hence, the $400 million-worth Lakers champion, Shaquille O’Neal upped the stakes with $30 million. That’s where Chuck drew the line. “I don’t want to be black and poor getting that.” 

Plot twist: Ultimately they decided something better than putting a chunk of their fortunes on the line. They left their faces in the hands of their teams.

Charles Barkley couldn’t save his face

Ahead of the game, Dana White listened to Shaq and Chuck’s request and set the stage for the two NBA legends’ PowerSlap showdown. They switched their wager for who gets the first slap advantage.

For all his big talk about making the 7’1″ giant “drop like a sack of potatoes” Barkley has to prepare for an ouchie. His Suns lost 103-105 to the Lakers. O’Neal has also commenced the trash-talk now that he gets the first slap.

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Barkley can take some consolation in the fact that he didn’t lose half his net worth. Can’t say the same for his pride though.

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