Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are one of the greatest duos on TV when it comes to the NBA. These two legends were great on the court and their charisma led them to be partners on TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA.’
Over the past the last decade, we’ve seen these two going at it, exchanging jabs and making fun of each other while entertaining fans at home. The two big men have created something good on TNT alongside Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.
These four have starred in epic moments during all these years, and it’s hard to imagine the show without any of them. It’s been done in the past, but not permanently, which could happen in a couple of years.
Barkley has already stated his desire to retire at 60 and leave the show to somebody else. He’s very firm on that, although not everybody agrees with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns legend.
“I’m trying to hang on for another couple years until I’m 60, and then they can kiss my ass. I’m only working until I’m 60,” said Barkley, 58, this past June.
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the people who don’t see the show without Barkley. The Big Diesel recently claimed on the “Marchand and Ourand” podcast that Barkley would be there forever since he can’t live with his co-hosts and vice versa.
“He’s never gonna quit,” O’Neal said, via The New York Post. “Charles is gonna be here forever. We need him, and he needs us. I’m convinced that if I’m retired and I don’t do nothing, I will falter away. This is what we do and what we live for. It’s what we’ve been doing, and we need each other.
“We keep each other going. Look, I’ve been here 11 years. I’ve heard that spiel before, but he’s gonna be here till the wheels fall off.”
Just like Shaq, fans can’t imagine the show without Chuck on it. The 1993 NBA MVP is hilarious, even when he doesn’t try. In 20 years on the show, Barkley has roasted Shaq several times, telling him he couldn’t play in today’s game since they sink 3s and Shaq couldn’t shoot to save his life.
O’Neal always goes after his partner being ringless, but they protect each other, like when Chuck responded to a fan claiming they didn’t know why they argue.
