During his playing days, Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most aggressive and dangerous players around. So it was best to avoid messing with him. But during a Lakers vs Rockets game in 1999, Charles Barkley instigated a fight with him, an issue that got resolved once their mothers intervened.
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While appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Shaq elaborated on this incident.
He said, “Me and Charles had a fight. He hits on the head with the ball. I’m like, ‘Charles, I respect you, but now I gotta knock you out.’ It wasn’t a real fight. But as soon as I get to the locker room, the Houston security guard comes on the phone and says ‘Here.’ I’m like, ‘Who is this?’
“So, on two-way was my mom and Charles Barkley’s mom. Barkley’s mom was a lovely, beautiful woman. She goes, ‘This is Charles’ mom and your mom’s on the phone too. Y’all need to stop. I already talked to Charles. He’s gonna meet you in the hallway. Y’all need to stop and hug. Y’all are two of the greatest players in the world. We don’t want yall fighting in front of the kids. Y’all stop that.’
“I said, ‘Yes ma’am.’ Not gonna be talking back. So I go in the hallway. Me and Charles, we hug it out. When you’re playing sports, it’s like a spur-of-the-moment thing. It’s never personal. Not that I hate it, but when you throw a ball at me, I gotta knock you out.”
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley: Best friends now
That incident happened over two decades back, and now they are close friends. Co-hosts on NBA on TNT, Shaq and Chuck not only bring their expert analysis to the table, but also humor and banter, something that sets them apart from their rival shows. It’s no surprise that they have won nine Emmy awards so far.
They have gone from being two of the best players to grace the game to being two of the most entertaining TV personalities. Without them, the show would not be as successful as it is now.
