With ABC network telecasting the 2023 NBA Finals, we, unfortunately, saw the last of the TNT panel for the season after the conclusion of the Celtics-Heat series. But, just as Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal revealed their vacation plans, NBA TV got the duo on the broadcasting crew for the first two games of the Finals. The pair had their basic, yet hilarious, conversation even before the game tipped off. While Chuck was trolling Shaq, the latter reminded the Suns’ legend of his 4 rings.
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On the sets of Inside the NBA, we’ve seen O’Neal and Sir Charles go at it whenever possible. A majority of the time they are mocking each other for being overweight. In other instances, it’s either Barkley name-calling O’Neal or the former LAL legend flexing his 4 rings.
We’ve seen their banter go on for years. Now, for the first time ever, we get to see it at the NBA’s biggest stage.
“Shaquille O’Neal, how’d you get in the Hall Of Fame?”: Charles Barkley
Prior to the Heat-Nuggets Game 1, NBA TV host Matt Winer introduced the “Hall-Of-Fame” panel – Grant Hill, Barkley, and Shaq. As soon as Matt was done welcoming them on the show, the Round Mound of Rebound questioned the Big Aristotle’s HOF eligibility.
“How’d you get in the Hall Of Fame?”
In classic Shaq fashion, he decided to bring up the 4 championships he won over the course of his 19-year career.
Chuck: “How’d you get in the Hall of Fame?!”
Shaq: 💍💍💍💍
The Fellas are already going at it 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sfLRaGFPEO
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 1, 2023
As scripted as this conversation seems, it is bizarre that Barkley is questioning the Diesel’s HOF enshrinement.
Charles has won 1 MVP and has been selected to 11 All-Star Games. However, Shaq has managed to gather most of the accolades possible – 1 MVP, 4 championships, 3 Finals MVPs, 2 scoring titles, and 15 All-Star selections. And of course, he has 4 more rings than the Chuckster does.
To be fair, the 7-foot-1 big man has achieved much more than what his colleague did.
Shaq and Chuck had vacation plans ready before being dragged for the NBA Finals
After Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the “Inside the NBA” panel greeted each other for a successful season and couldn’t have been more excited about their vacation plans.
While Shaq was annoyed that the Boston Celtics’ 3-game win streak was spoiling his Bahamas itinery, Barkley too had some plans of his own. Playing with his cute little grandchildren in all the downtime.
With the duo being brought to the NBA TV panel for the first two games of the finals, fans are in for a special treat. Making the most of their 2-game appearances, the “Inside the NBA” pairing is already providing us with some top-class entertainment.
