Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to hold back when it comes to taking jabs at his fellow Inside the NBA analyst, Charles Barkley. And Shaq had yet another opportunity to mock Sir Charles when Devin Booker broke Barkley’s record for the most 40-point games in Phoenix Suns playoff history.
Booker’s 47-point performance in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers not only propelled the Suns to the Conference Finals but also helped him break Barkley’s franchise record. When Shaq was made aware of this during an interview with Booker, he couldn’t resist taking a shot at Barkley, referring to him as a “bum”.
EJ: “Devin Booker passes Charles Barkley for the most 40-pt games in Suns playoff history”
CHUCK: “WHAT?!”
SHAQ: "You passed a bum. Thank you, Devin" 🤣 pic.twitter.com/0bVyAyjUFj— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2023
But Shaq didn’t stop there. In a classic Shaq move, he went on to thank Booker for breaking Barkley’s record, making sure to rub salt in the wound. Of course, this isn’t the first time Shaq has poked fun at Barkley, and it’s unlikely to be the last.
Devin Booker’s impressive playoff performances
It’s not just the record-breaking feat that impressed Shaq and the rest of the basketball world. Devin Booker has been putting up incredible numbers throughout the Suns’ playoff run, making him a legitimate MVP candidate.
Aside from his sixth 40-point playoff game, Booker also achieved the most games with at least 40 points and 10 assists in Suns’ history, with two such games. This broke a tie with Barkley and Kevin Johnson, who had one each. Furthermore, Booker now holds the record for the most 30-point games in the Suns’ playoff history, with 17, surpassing Barkley’s record of 16.
Booker’s performances have been instrumental in the Suns’ playoff success, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. With his impressive scoring ability and clutch performances, Booker has established himself as one of the league’s premier players.
Shaquille O’Neal and his ongoing feud with Barkley
Of course, Shaq’s playful jabs at Barkley are nothing new. The two have a longstanding and well-documented feud, often taking playful shots at each other on the Inside the NBA set.
Despite their friendly rivalry, Shaq and Barkley have a mutual respect for each other, both as players and analysts. However, when it comes to breaking records, Shaq is more than happy to take advantage of any opportunity to mock Barkley.
It’s worth noting that Barkley is a Suns legend and one of the franchise’s all-time greats. Despite Shaq’s jokes, Barkley’s impact on the Suns’ history cannot be denied. Nonetheless, Booker’s impressive performances in the playoffs are a testament to his own greatness and a sign that he is poised to become one of the all-time greats in his own right.
Devin Booker’s record-breaking playoff performances have put him in the spotlight, and it’s not just because of the records he’s breaking. Shaq’s playful jabs at Barkley provide a lighthearted element to the conversation, but Booker’s incredible talent and skill are the real story here.
As the Suns continue their playoff run, Booker will undoubtedly continue to put up impressive numbers, and Shaq will likely continue to take shots at Barkley. But no matter what happens, Booker’s performance will be remembered as one of the most impressive in Suns’ playoff history.
