Was Charles Barkley drunk in the NBA All-Star Draft?
Barkley was called out by Shaquille O’Neal, who said he sounded drunk while discussing LeBron James’ All-Star reserve selections on the TNT broadcast ahead of the 2023 All-Star Game.
“There are no bad choices today, all of these guys are great,” Barkley said slowly, seeming to trail his words.
That’s when O’Neal interjected, “Why do you look drunk?” You’re right?”
Barkley replied, “No man, that’s my mic”, to which O’Neal disagreed.
“No, it’s not the mic, it’s you,” O’Neal said before mocking Barkley’s attempt to say Mark Cuban’s name. “… What do you want to drink ?”
Barkley went on to say it was his mic that made his speech sound different, adding, “No it’s my mic, I’m late.”
Ernie Johnson, who also appeared to have had audio issues at one point, weighed in, saying, “Always blame the equipment.”
O’Neal, however, was buying no excuses.
“No, it’s you, you’re drunk,” he laughed. “I want to thank Patron for sponsoring Chuck.”
Then Kenny Smith, who was seated between O’Neal and Barkley, entered the conversation.
“It’s a dry state,” he repeated several times.
At one point during the All-Star festivities, Barkley didn’t seem thrilled with Utah state laws.
“These people are going to heaven,” Barkley said. “There is nothing to do in this boring town. It’s a big city, but there’s nothing to do here. I can’t smoke. I can’t drink. These people are going to heaven.
It’s unclear exactly what happened behind the scenes on TNT’s NBA All-Star 2023 broadcast. O’Neal and Barkley were heard bickering over a hot mic.
“Say something Chuck, I’m gonna hit you with that mic right now,” O’Neal can be heard saying while Johnson was onstage to facilitate the draft.
“I’ll tell you what, there ain’t enough people to get me out of your ass,” Barkley replied, to which O’Neal said, “Don’t say another word.”
When Barkley mocked O’Neal by saying “another word,” the pair can be heard laughing before the audio issues end.
New York Post
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