The unexpected feud between NFL reporters Ian Rapoport and Jordan Schultz at the NFL scouting combine has taken an amusing twist—thanks to Inside the NBA’s resident jokesters, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.
On Thursday’s episode of Inside the NBA, the panel—featuring O’Neal, Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith—couldn’t resist poking fun at the now-infamous Starbucks showdown between the two football insiders.
The spat reportedly began when Rapoport cast doubt on Schultz’s claim that Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders were discussing a potential trade for Matthew Stafford. Schultz, seemingly frustrated by the dispute, later confronted Rapoport at an Indianapolis Starbucks, leading to a heated exchange that was significant enough to be reported to NFL security.
Barkley and Shaq Weigh In
As Inside the NBA kicked off, Barkley wasted no time addressing the situation with his signature brand of humor.
“I’m in a good mood, man,” Barkley said. “I was at Starbucks today. It’s dangerous in there, Ernie. There’s fists flying everywhere.”
The panel erupted into laughter as they continued joking about the incident, imagining a full-blown brawl breaking out over a latte.
O’Neal then chimed in, playfully acknowledging Schultz’s career path. Rather than taking over his father Howard Schultz’s empire—the Starbucks CEO—Schultz chose to make his own name in sports media.
“I’ve always respected that about him,” Shaq said before playfully squaring up toward the camera, seemingly ready to fight on Schultz’s behalf.
Barkley, never one to back down from a debate with Shaq, took the other side.
“I’ve got Ian in this one,” he said, setting the stage for a hypothetical showdown.
As the jokes escalated, Shaq and Barkley took it a step further by setting a date—May 19—for an epic battle where Rapoport, Schultz, and the two NBA legends could finally settle the score.
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Rapoport and Schultz React
Naturally, the two reporters caught wind of the Inside the NBA segment and couldn’t resist jumping into the fun.
“Charles always has my back. Appreciate you, my guy,” Rapoport wrote on social media, acknowledging Barkley’s playful support.
Schultz, however, couldn’t let that stand.
“If only Charles knew who called security, he would’ve had this same reaction along with my guy Shaq,” Schultz replied, linking a classic clip of Shaq and Barkley laughing hysterically about a previous police intervention—this time involving the Los Angeles Lakers locker room.
The Media Feud Rolls On
While the Rapoport-Schultz Starbucks showdown may not have actually led to blows, it has certainly become the most talked-about media feud of the week. Thanks to Shaq and Barkley, the situation has now taken on a life of its own—because nothing truly goes viral until Inside the NBA turns it into a comedy sketch.
Now the only question that remains: Will May 19 be the date when this all gets settled in the ring? If Shaq and Barkley have their way, we might just see an Inside the NBA-produced pay-per-view special featuring two NFL insiders squaring off in a no-holds-barred caffeine-fueled showdown.
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