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[Saba Sports News] If there’s one thing about Shaquille O’Neal, it’s that he exudes confidence and doesn’t care about outside opinions.
That’s part of what makes him such an entertaining presence on ‘Inside the NBA’, where he regularly engages in playful banter with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
That dynamic was on full display once again when Barkley tried to provoke O’Neal with some questionable rankings of his place among NBA centers.
Barkley ranked Shaq as the third-best center in Lakers history and the second-best Magic center behind Dwight Howard, leading to an instant reaction from the four-time champion.
“But I got more rings than you and him combined,” Shaq fired back. “I’ve got more rings than all of you.”
As expected, O’Neal didn’t let Barkley’s trolling slide, reminding his co-host that his championship pedigree speaks for itself. Shaq won three straight titles with the Lakers (2000-2002) before securing his fourth with the Miami Heat in 2006.
Meanwhile, Barkley—despite his Hall of Fame career—never won an NBA title, falling short in his lone Finals appearance with the Phoenix Suns in 1993.
The banter didn’t stop there. Later that night, after the Golden State Warriors dominated the Sacramento Kings 130-104, Shaq saw another opportunity to roast Barkley. Barkley had incorrectly predicted a Kings win, so O’Neal pulled out his famous “Shaqtin dollars” to mock his co-host’s failed call.
“Where the bands at?” Shaq repeatedly joked, as Barkley sat in disbelief over his blunder.
O’Neal also used the moment to heap praise on Stephen Curry, even suggesting that the Warriors superstar belongs in the GOAT conversation.
Between the on-air trolling and playful wagers, Shaq continues to prove that he’s just as dominant in trash talk as he was on the court.