TNT viewers have noticed Charles Barkley has been sporting a certain accessory during the playoffs. He’s upgraded his grandpa glasses to trendy new eyewear all thanks to the endorsement machine sitting at the other end of the table. As fashion forward as his new bespectacled look is, Chuck is not thoroughly convinced. In fact, he thinks he could fit into the 26th Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray that took place on May 2.

While on The Dan Patrick Show, the hosts noted Chuck’s new accessory and Barkley admitted, “Shaq’s keeping me in glasses now.” That’s something Chuck admitted on TNT too. Among his gazillion endorsement deals, Shaquille O’Neal has an athleisure-inspired eyewear collection with Zyloware. It appears Barkley is now a customer thanks to Shaq.

Barkley even confirmed that Shaq gets him glasses from his partner brand. One of the perks of being the big guy’s friends.

But he thinks glasses make him look like a grandpa (which he is to his daughter, Christiana’s kids) and closer to the legendary sportscaster known for his thick frames. “You know when Harry Caray used to do the games?” he reminded Patrick who got nostalgic about the late commentator’s White Sox era himself. They agreed that Caray’s recognizable glasses were like “miniature TV sets.”

Caray’s persona was so iconic, on May 2 (the day of his passing), fans gather at Harry Caray’s Tavern wearing similar spectacles as a nod to the legend. This year they also displayed cow-related themes to symbolize Caray’s catchphrase, “Holy Cow.” This year, Jason Alexand and Chris Kattan were among those who honored Caray along with Cubs pitcher, Ryan Dempster and White Sox legend, Ron Kittle. Chuck even had a well-timed shoutout on the show. “Shout out to the great Harry Caray, I miss him.” But he’d rather Shaq would not make him look like him.

Chuck’s confidence took a beating

Charles Barkley debuted the “four eyes of deliciousness” in February on Inside the NBA. He even proclaimed to Shaq, “Let me tell you something, I got these glasses when I saw you wearin’ ’em.” He even told Patrick this time that Shaq is indeed a savvy businessman who’s ‘in the billionaire neighborhood’ at the rate he’s going.

On TNT, Barkley was feeling it in his fancy new glasses. But Shaq, the one who hooked him up with snazzy spectacles, made fun of him. From “Sanford glasses,” to the “Chuck, Barkley, and the Vodka Cranberries,” the jokes didn’t cease. Even fans flooded the TNT feed with GIFs of Eddie Murphy’s iconic bifocals from Harlem Nights. 

Barkley called them all haters and said, “I think I look good.” How did he go from that to thinking he looks like Harry Caray? Give Shaq credit for that. We ‘see’ you, Chuck and it looks dapper.

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