Shouting Escalates on Live TV as Charles Barkley Blasts Shaquille O’Neal Over Double Standards

After going 3-0 up, most fans expected the Philadelphia 76ers to sweep the Toronto Raptors. Instead, the 76ers lost the next 2 games and face game 6 against a team with momentum. 

Few teams have blown a 3-1 lead in the NBA playoffs. It has happened thirteen times in the NBA, and Doc Rivers has done it 3 times. He is the only coach in NBA history to have over one loss after taking a 3-1 lead in the playoffs.

When asked about it, Doc Rivers gave a defensive interview, asking the media to tell the complete story. 

Doc Rivers fires back at reporters for bringing up his 3-1 collapses

( @NBCSPhilly ) pic.twitter.com/E0ekAb5Qz8

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 27, 2022

NBA on TNT, the crew had a rather feisty discussion about this on live TV. Shaq definitely had the back of the 76ers’ coach, saying that the coach shouldn’t be held responsible for blowing a 3-1 lead. But Chuck and Kenny argued that it wasn’t a one-time thing, and it had happened 3 times with different teams for Doc Rivers. So he should take some responsibility. 

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Shaquille O’Neal stands with Doc Rivers

But Shaq maintained that if a team blows a 3-1 lead, it’s on the players for losing 3 or 4 games consecutively. And the players need to step it up. He also said that it’s an excuse to blame the head coach. 

He said that whenever he lost or got swept, it had nothing to do with the coach and it was all on him. Because he was “driving the bus”. And Chuck and Shaq went back and forth arguing. 

Then Ernie asked whether it mattered that Phil Jackson was the coach or not to Shaquille O’Neal. He replied, “I don’t need him to hold my hands. And if you watch Phil Jackson, we don’t call plays Ernie. And Phil Jackson never used to call time out when we mess up.”. Then Shaq summed it up saying “I am saying if you lose a 3-1 lead, don’t automatically go ‘Oh coach it’s your fault!’. That is all I am saying.”

Then Chuck asked Shaq how many championships he had won before Phil came to the Lakers. Shaq admitted they didn’t win any, and it was always on him. 

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: Shaquille O’Neal attends the ESPN Gala: “30 For 30: This Magic Moment” Screening during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theatre on April 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/WireImage)

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And Kenny tried to end the discussion by saying, “I think part of your individual greatness didn’t matter who coached you. However, you winning with your individual greatness was coaching!”. But Shaquille O’Neal stood his ground saying that it’s on the players if they lose a 3-1 lead. 

It will be interesting to see what Doc Rivers, Harden, Embiid, and the 76ers do against the Toronto Raptors in game 6.

Do you think the 76ers will win the series in game 6?

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