It’s a rare moment to find NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley at a loss for words. Unabashed about his views, the former MVP frequently gets away with things that would have others penalized for the same. Surprisingly, his brutally honest nature earns him quite the brownie points.
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Barring a championship ring to top his decorated resume, the 6ft 5″ forward had quite the success playing pro basketball. Post his NBA career, The Chuckster would capitalize on his candid nature by joining forces with Turner Sports via the award-winning show Inside the NBA, changing the dynamics of sports media.
Whether it be the constant bickering between Shaq and Chuck or the makers scripting hilarious antics and segments, the TNT show has etched itself in the hearts of millions. The panelists on the show are often seen engaging in a lot of banter and roasting but in a healthy nature.
Now a popular name in the broadcasting world, Barkley also hosts his podcast alongside Ernie Johnson called The Steam Room. The latest to appear on the show was reigning WNBA champion Kelsey Plum who had the poor Chuckster red-faced with one of her responses to his questions.
“For someone that’s never won a championship…”: Kelsey Plum’s hilarious dig at Charles Barkley.
For years we have seen co-panelist and three-time Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal mock Barkley for not winning a single championship in his career. Recently joining the Diesel in this movement was Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum, who was seen as a guest on TNT’s The Steam Room Podcast.
It all began when Barkley asked Plum to guarantee a repeat, to which the 2022 All-Star had the following response.
“You know, for someone that’s never won a championship, I’ll just give you some advice, that’s really not what you do,” said Plum, leaving Chuck visibly stunned.
“Hey, I’m gonna have to let that go,” said Barkley. “But, you know Kelsey, we being nice, it’s the holiday season now, Santa Claus is coming to town.”
Well, Kudos to Barkley, who surely knows how to take a joke on himself without making too much of a hue-and-cry.
Charles Barkley came the closest to winning a championship in 1993.
At the time, playing for the Phoenix Suns, Barkley was having a historic season, coming off winning the league MVP and having the best record in the league. Nevertheless, the eleven-time All-Star’s toughest challenge still lay ahead of him as he faced Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the 1993 Finals, who for looking to clinch their first 3-peat.
Despite averaging a 27-point double-double, Barkley stood no chance as MJ put up one of the greatest shows in Finals history, ultimately leading the Bulls to their first 3-peat. Nonetheless, Chuck remains a top 75 player of all-time.
Also read: Michael Jordan bought Charles Barkley a $20,000 gift to neutralize him in the 1993 NBA Finals
