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MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 21: Charles Barkley looks on prior to game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 21: Charles Barkley looks on prior to game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Somehow the most absurd Chuck stories have to do with the steam room. Apart from the legendary bracelet story that led to the Inside the NBA spinoff, The Steam Room, Charles Barkley had another bizarre encounter while sweating it out. This happened with his NHL on TNT counterpart, Paul “Biz” Bissonette. Biz can be as wild and unfiltered as the Inside Guys. Chuck’s given his side of the story. But Biz’s version is even better.
During an appearance on DraftKings, the retired hockey pro explained the real reason why Chuck’s steam room episodes are that unbelievable. “He has no rules in the steam room and I think that’s why he ended up calling his podcast a Steam Room,” Bissonette revealed on DraftKings’ 15 Seconds With Fame. But the real conclusion Biz drew was that Chuck’s even more unabashed than he is and is cool with talking to strangers even in the steam room. Biz wasn’t exactly a stranger, which makes this encounter funnier.
“My experience was I walked in, it was obviously very steamy in there and I saw some guy up on the top shelf doing these crunches and I’m trying to avoid eye contact and seeing whatever else is bulging out. As soon as the person was done doing the crunches, all as I hear is that ‘Biz!’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, hey Chuck, what’s going on, man? Yeah, just stay over there on your side,” Biz narrated.
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He also made it a point to state that Chuck was not ‘naked’ naked. He had a towel on for modesty. But Biz seemingly got a taste of what could be the NBA culture, because Chuck was not conscious about his state of undress. And he’s also best friends with Shaq, who was known to terrorize his teammates with naked pranks.

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AUBURN, AL – SEPTEMBER 28: Charles Barkley talks with fans prior to the matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Auburn, AL. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
And no, contrary to a popular misconception online, Biz was not the one who gifted Chuck a bracelet. That’s a whole other story.
Charles Barkley’s TNT colleague finds out why it’s the Steam Room
Charles Barkley left the Inside Guys, Studio J, and everyone watching in stitches while recalling his encounter with a stranger in a steam room in Arizona. Barkley actually initiated a conversation with the unknown man over his bracelet, which the guy gifted to him. That inspired the podcast with Chuck and Ernie Johnson of the same name. And they refuse to share the credit with Shaq and Kenny for inspiring it.
Bissonette was on the show last year where he asked if the show was named so because of his encounter with Chuck. Contrary to the Biz Nasty, Chuck said, “Let me explain Ernie. At the hotel, we get in the steam room together. And every time in, that’s where I do my sit-ups.”
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What’s your perspective on:
Paul Bissonnette's steam room story with Charles Barkley—funniest sports encounter ever?
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But he confirmed that Biz’s account is true. Though that time, the hockey star worded it in more explicit terms. Next time you go in a steam room, watch out for Chuck.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.
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Paul Bissonnette's steam room story with Charles Barkley—funniest sports encounter ever?