Share
Sports

Charles Barkley gets brutally honest about Shaq brawl - 'We fight like girls'

Share

Over the course of their respective careers, first as NBA players and later as members of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” studio team, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have had more beef than a fast-food burger joint.

But back in November 1999, when Barkley’s Rockets faced O’Neal’s Lakers early in O’Neal’s first championship season, things escalated and a fight broke out.

Almost two decades later, Barkley is getting brutally honest about the infamous brawl.

“It was an NBA fight which means … we fight like girls,” Barkley told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson in an interview posted Sunday.

Shaq appeared to commit a foul while blocking Barkley’s shot, which led Barkley to throw the ball at O’Neal’s head. This in turn prompted O’Neal to throw a punch.

Trending:
Prince Harry Named in Major Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against Rapper

“I’m glad nobody got hurt because he’s a great friend,” Barkley told Robinson. “I enjoy working with him.”

This ultimate case of “Shaqtin’ a Fool” may have been the first time the two scrapped, but it wouldn’t be the last.

Indeed, the pair have a history of play-fighting on set.

At the time, O’Neal had his own perspective on the brawl.

“He was doing all that wild monkey (stuff), throwing (elbows), acting crazy,” O’Neal said.

Do you remember the Barkley/Shaq brawl?

“I think that was a tactic to get me out of the game, and it worked. I’ll probably have to be a little smarter next time, just wait to get him back later.”

Considering the Lakers won the championship that year while the Rockets went 34-48 and failed to make the playoffs, O’Neal effectively did get back at Barkley.

As for both men’s views on fights between NBA players today, that was best summed up in January after Chris Paul of the Rockets tried to get into the Los Angeles Clippers’ locker room, possibly to fight with Blake Griffin (who is ten inches taller and 76 pounds heavier than his ex-teammate). Police were called to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.

Related:
Video: Incredible NBA 'Dunk of the Year' Leaves Opponent Injured

Barkley and O’Neal could hardly contain themselves, with Barkley saying between peals of uproarious laughter, “I played in the NBA for 16 years, and I’ve been on TV for 18 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a police presence.”

“Hello police, Chris Paul trying to beat me up,” said O’Neal, who was similarly unable to control his reaction.

It’s clear the two men’s rivalry has gone from antagonism on the court to good-natured friendship in the studio, and the real winners here are their “Inside the NBA” cohosts, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, who have the best seat in the house for the show.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , ,
Share
Boston born and raised, Fox has been writing about sports since 2011. He covered ESPN Friday Night Fights shows for The Boxing Tribune before shifting focus and launching Pace and Space, the home of "Smart NBA Talk for Smart NBA Fans", in 2015. He can often be found advocating for various NBA teams to pack up and move to his adopted hometown of Seattle.
Boston born and raised, Fox has been writing about sports since 2011. He covered ESPN Friday Night Fights shows for The Boxing Tribune before shifting focus and launching Pace and Space, the home of "Smart NBA Talk for Smart NBA Fans", in 2015. He can often be found advocating for various NBA teams to pack up and move to his adopted hometown of Seattle.
Birthplace
Boston, Massachusetts
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Nevada-Reno
Location
Seattle, Washington
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Sports




Conversation