Shaquille O’Neal still regrets not winning a championship earlier, but at least he got there more than once. That’s more than can be said about Charles Barkley. What started as a discussion on Minnesota’s defense turned into reliving old memories. Particularly when Hakeem Olajuwon humiliated Shaq in the 1995 NBA Finals. The big man has big positivity though. He got over it because he made it to the finals again and won four times. Chuck came close once but didn’t win. And Shaq owes Michael Jordan big time for that.
Shaq was giving his reasoning why Hakeem Olajuwon was able to sweep the Orlando Magic in 1995 while the 1995 champion, Kenny “The Jet” Smith sat right there. Naturally Kenny found it very funny and TNT had to air the highlight of Hakeem bullying Shaq. Kenny stole Shaq’s catchphrase to remind him he was ‘barbeque chicken dinner’ that series and Chuck said Shaq was cooked. That’s when Shaq hollered, “Thank you Michael Jordan.”
That’s because Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns came close to a title in 1993 as close the Orlando Magic came in 1995. But as history goes, Chicago Bulls make a three-peat in 1993. Chuck never recovered or came close to the title again. O’Neal though had multiple finals appearances throughout his 19-season career and won four championships.
For context, Shaq was giving tips on how to tackle DPOY Rudy Gobert. He said that his opponents should not give Gobert “space” the way he gave Olajuwon. Yes, Shaq’s implying he gave Olajuwon an opening. Of course, Kenny found it hilarious. Guest analyst, Draymond Green found it funny too. The TNT’s producers had to prove that there was no “space” when Hakeem dunked on Shaq. And this is how Shaq chose to put a positive spin on it.
Shaq is grateful for the Bulls
Both Shaq and Chuck have made no secret that not winning the 1995 title for Orlando and 1993 title for Phoenix respectively still fills them with regret. But Chuck’s personal prankster takes sinister pleasure in his defeat. Only recently he told JJ Redick, “I would hate to see Charles with a ring.”
For that, instead of Jordan, he was grateful to John Paxson. As NBA historians would know, in Game 6 of the 1993 finals, the Phoenix Suns had a minor lead. Not MJ or Pip, but it was Paxson who hit that buzzer-beater to end the game 99-98. The Bulls won, Chuck never made it to the finals again, Jordan retired, left the arena wide open for Houston and Orlando to make it to the finals and let Hakeem claim two consecutive titles till Jordan returned.
Jordan would not only make it impossible for Chuck to win again, but also for Hakeem and Shaq. It wouldn’t be till Jordan left the Bulls that Shaq’s dominant era began. So who’s really barbeque chicken, Chuck?