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“Ahem, Ahem!”: Shaq hilariously calls out Charles Barkley for claiming the Lakers legend doesn’t have the same killer instinct as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

Samir Mehdi
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“Ahem, Ahem!”: Shaq hilariously calls out Charles Barkley for claiming the Lakers legend doesn’t have the same killer instinct as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

Shaq makes sure Charles Barkley acknowledges the fact that he had the same killer instinct as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. 

The uppermost echelon of players in NBA history is not only reserved for players who have reveled in an inordinate amount of victories but also for legends who have possessed a winning mentality. Every single player that has won in the NBA at a consistent level has proven that they can enter a state of mind where their sole focus is to get a victory on that night. 

Guys that are in the league today that possess such a mentality are Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and many more. They’ve of course, learned from their predecessors such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Allen Iverson.

Also read: “I got anxious and lost the ball”: Michael Jordan was hilariously pushed into talking about his most embarrassing play against the Lakers by Phil Jackson

One odd aspect about this ‘killer mentality’ however, is the fact that fans automatically associate it with guards and forwards; players who can drain shots from deep. Legends such as Shaq and Hakeem Olajuwon are never truly acknowledged for being locked in when it counts. 

Shaq wants Charles Barkley to include him on the list alongside Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. 

As usual, NBAonTNT with Shaq, Ernie, Chuck, and Kenny has produced some of the funniest content the league has to offer. The ensuing verbal altercations between Shaq and Barkley always seem to resonate with fans due to hilarious nature of their constant nickering. Last night was no less as Charles Barkley seemed to have left Shaq off of an important list. 

When naming off players throughout the course of the NBA, who’ve had the ‘go-get-it’ mentality, he misses out on giving the ‘Big Aristotle’ a shoutout while listing out past legends such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. This prompted Shaq to clear his throat so as to indicate that he deserves to be on that list as well.

Also read: “Michael Jordan always wanted to win in the face of adversity”: Legendary trainer Tim Grover claims the ‘GOAT’ was just as intense as the ‘Last Dance’ portrayed him to be

With Shaq having won 4 championships and a league MVP, all while being the most dominant force since Wilt Chamberlain in the 60s, it makes sense as to why he took a slight bit of offense to Charles not acknowledging this aspect of his game. 

About the author

Samir Mehdi

Samir Mehdi

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Samir Mehdi is a senior strategist for the NBA division at The Sportsrush. Ever since he was 13 years old, he’s been obsessed with the game of basketball. From watching Kobe Bryant’s highlights on YouTube to now, analyzing and breaking down every single game on League Pass, Samir’s passion for the game is unwavering. He's a complete basketball junkie who not only breaks down current games but also keenly watches ones from the 60s’ and 70s’ while also reading comprehensive books on the history of the league. Samir’s life revolves around basketball and he hopes that shows in his work. Aside from work, he loves to spend time in the gym and with his friends at social gatherings.

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