Even Uncle Shaq isn’t safe from Angel Reese’s wrath. The big man has an ingenious way of diverting the blame, though. When in a corner, blame Chuck. That’s exactly what Shaquille O’Neal did when he tried to jump into the Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark debate. On The Big Podcast, with Charles Barkley to talk over him, O’Neal saved his skin and kept himself in Reese’s good graces after a one-sided debate on Inside the NBA.

“Angel actually called me, she was upset. Cause Charles (Barkley) does what he always does; he takes up the segment and by the time he’s done talking, we got to get to commercial,” He told Adam Lefkoe on The Big Podcast, their TNT colleague who also agreed that’s Chuck’s dominant style.

Both are outstanding LSU greats of two different eras. Shaq turned into a mentor and honorary uncle to Reese since their first meeting. But he’s been her biggest defender since her heated clash with Caitlin Clark in 2023. He lauds CC too as an athlete but his loyalty is with his niece and first Reebok signatory.

Charles Barkley has been unequivocal of his support for Clark, likening her selection to the WNBA winning the lottery. When Inside the NBA was covering the Western Conference Finals, Chuck went on a rant without giving anyone the opportunity to slide in. It may have upset Reese enough at being labeled petty that she called Shaq.

O’Neal didn’t relay the details of their conversation and how upset Reese was. Previously they’ve disclosed their phone conversations are usually about Uncle Shaq boosting her confidence when trolls bring her down. This time on The Big Podcast, Shaq stood up for Reese and the rookie class.

“One person may have all the props but it’s never one person. Like don’t say ‘oh we’re we’re getting new sponsorship because of Caitlin. No,  what about Angel, what about [Kamilla] Cardozo, what about my favorite Kelsey Plum,” Shaq said and Lefkoe even gave a shoutout to Cameron Brink and A’ja Wilson. And O’Neal couldn’t resist raving about Cardozo. Hopefully, Angel saw Uncle Shaq’s podcast. Because she sure didn’t miss Chuck’s rant.

Charles Barkley upset Angel Reese

Sir Charles said on Inside the NBA, “Hey, LeBron, you’re 100 percent right on these girls hating on Caitlin Clark. Y’all petty, girls. I expect men to be petty because we’re the most insecure group in the world. Y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all a— private charters, all the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA. Don’t be petty like dudes.” The rant was much longer with different variations of Chuck calling the WNBA except CC petty. Shaq couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

It did not go unnoticed by Reese who capped a 90-81 victory over New York Liberty right after. She posted on X, “And that’s getting a WIN in a packed (arena) not just cause of one player on our charter flight.” The post has since been deleted.

Reese made her displeasure over Chuck’s accusations known both in public and to Shaquille O’Neal. Though Chuck made it difficult, O’Neal finally got to say his piece.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.