Shaquille O'Neal idolized Charles Barkley as a rookie, recalls breaking backboard in first national TV game against Phoenix Suns
Shaquille O'Neal likes to take shots at Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA, but the two have been close friends for a long time. O'Neal even revealed that he idolized Barkley when he was an NBA rookie in 1992 playing for the Orlando Magic. He also recalled breaking the backboard in his first nationally televised game against Barkley and the Suns.
NBA.com released a preview of Shaq's upcoming Basketball Stories documentary on NBA TV called Shaq: the Rookie Season. O'Neal talked about facing Barkley and how he looked up to him when he entered the league.
"Whenever you're playing against your idols, you see my idol Charles Barkley there, I had to send him a message," O'Neal said. "Charles was ferocious. Charles used to talk a lot of smack. Charles used to throw elbows. Every time Charles has a chance to throw it down at the break, he threw it down really hard."
The way Barkley dunked the basketball inspired O'Neal to do the same. That proved to be quite effective, as O'Neal even destroyed the backboard stanchion in his first game against Barkley and the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 7, 1993.
However, Barkley got the better of their first matchup, helping the Suns beat the Orlando Magic 121-105. "The Round Mound of Rebound" finished with 28 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. O'Neal was in foul trouble for most of the game and even fouled out, playing just 29 minutes. He had 20 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
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Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley fought on court in 1999
Before they became friends, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley fought in a game in 1999. It started when Barkley was fouled by Glen Rice but threw the ball to O'Neal's head. Shaq responded with a left hand that barely missed Barkley, who took down the 325-pound big man.
The two were immediately separated by their teammates and were both ejected from the game. As it turns out, the two became close after their brawl, thanks to their mothers. Shaquille O'Neal recalled what happened in the locker room and how he reconciled with Barkley.
"So on two-way was my mom and Charles Barkley's mom, a lovely, beautiful woman," O'Neal told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. "And I was like, 'Hello?' and she's like, 'This is Charles' mom, and your mom's on the phone too.' I was like, 'Yes ma'am, how are you?'
"She said, 'Y'all need to stop. I already talked to Charles. He's gonna meet you in the hallway. Y'all need to stop and hug. Y'all are two of the greatest players in the world; we don't want y'all fighting in front of the kids; y'all stop that.'"
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