Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal always seem to be feuding over something. The two legends even got physical during a game in 1999. The incident took place during a match between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. Charles was fined $5000, while Shaq got slapped with a $10,000 fine. Though the incident happened back when live recording wasn’t a thing, new footage of the incident has been released. In the video, Shaquille O’Neal seems to be the instigator. The Lakers big man talked shit even while he was on the ground tussling with Barkley.
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Though the 1999 incident was the most violent and physical altercation the two have had, there have also been others. During a game in July 1993, Barkley and Shaq were seen going at it. Though the back and forth did get physical, Shaq did leave the contest with 4 fouls, 3 of which came from Barkley. The Suns would defeat Orlando, 117-102 during that meeting.
Revisiting the Shaq-Barkley brawl from 1999
In 1999, the league was in a transitionary phase. Superstar players like Charles Barkley were now entering the twilight of their career, while the up-and-coming generation were eager to take over. Shaq was one of the front runners to be the new face of the league, as he joined the Lakers just two years prior.
The fight broke out when Charles was fouled by Brain Shaw during a shot. As Charles waited for the call, Shaq pushed Barkley in an attempt to get the ball. Barkley retaliated by throwing the ball off Shaq’s head, which engaged the 7-footer. Shaq lunged forward with a left hand, but Barkley evaded the blow grabbed Shaq, and pulled him down to the ground.
In a video that recently leaked, the conversation between the duo can be properly heard. Shaq while tussling with Charles tells him, “Don’t f*ck with me.” Charles expressed his surprise with Shaq’s choice of words as he exclaimed “What?“.Shaq repeated himself to Barkley, telling him more sternly:
“Don’t f*ck with me.“
Charles who had by this time found a way to get back on his feet, told Shaq:
“You know you can’t do that.“
The duo were later fined $5000 and $10, 000 by the NBA for their conduct. The heftier fine went to Shaq, as even videotape evidence shows that he had initiated the fight. The matter was an embarrassment to both players’ families. Unknown to even the two stars, both their mothers were best friends. After the incident, both players got an earful from both ladies while on a conference call. The two stars were ordered to meet in the hallway and hug it out, and they did just that. Putting the beef to rest, for the time being at least.
Shaquille O’Neal tells media he could knockout Charles Barkley
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are always threatening to beat each other up. The two Hall Of Fame players are co-hosts on the nine-time Emmy-winning show Inside The NBA.
While being asked about the status of a scheduled mixed-martial arts competition between the two hosts, Shaq responded:
“We are not going to fight. He backed out. I would kill him.”
The big man further told the media at The BTIG charity event:
“That’s no joke. You can quote me on that.“
Though we may never see the duo fight, we can always enjoy their hilarious chemistry on Inside The NBA.
