Shaq and TNT seem to be at odds with each other, but Charles Barkley didn’t miss the chance to infuriate his broadcast partner.
a Behind the scenes clip posted on X Shaq has expressed upset about the Orlando jersey retirement ceremony that took place on February 13th, as the honor was not broadcast on national television, such as TNT, but only on NBA TV.
“They know they can’t ask me to do nothing for them, that’s all,” Shaq says at the beginning of the video, presumably referring to TNT.
Warning: Explicit language
“Oh, hey, you can’t be mad about that,” Charles Barkley deadpanned. “He’s mad that they didn’t show his ceremony on regular TV and they showed it on NBA TV. He said you guys have no respect for him.” On TNT I should have done it.”
Ernie Johnson claimed that TNT had a doubleheader and should have aired it, but noted that was probably the reason it didn’t.
“Brother, I’m not mad. It’s okay,” Shaq replied. “I never complain.”
“Don’t lie. You said they showed you no respect by putting your opinion on NBA TV,” Barkley said.
“That’s not a complaint. I just said the King’s Secret. Just telling people what I think,” Shaq replied.
The Magic held a ceremony after their 127-113 loss to Oklahoma City, but it was difficult for TNT to perform because they had another game scheduled.
If Shaq had been honored before the game, things might have been different.
Later, Kenny Smith caught up with him after he fixed his headset and said he thought there was room for air flow.
“No, we didn’t have the space to do that,” Barclay said.
“If it was during the game, they should have shown it. If it was later, and the game was on, they could have double-screened it,” Smith argued.
“What’s wrong with NBA TV?” Barkley asked.
“He’s an office worker,” Shaq replied. “You’re a terrible company employee.”
Barkley also joked that O’Neal’s underwhelming performances in Phoenix and Cleveland could allow him to retire his jersey on TNT.
“If we retire the jerseys in Cleveland…we should do a show from there that night,” he laughed.
“An ass never hurt my feelings,” Shaq said of Barkley, citing Barkley’s four NBA rings in his ringless career. “Trust me. He’s homeless compared to me.”
Shaq spent four seasons in Orlando, winning Rookie of the Year in 1992-93 and was named an All-Star four times.
However, after losing to the Rockets in the 1995 NBA Finals, he packed up and headed to Los Angeles, leaving the Magic alone for a few seasons.
In four years, he averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and a shooting percentage of 58.1.
