Former NBA star Charles Barkley is famous for his love of hockey. The sports analyst has gone viral many times for his on-air reactions to hockey highlights. Barkley has also never shied away from sharing his love for the sport, even during panels and sessions analyzing basketball games. The NBA Hall of Famer recently appeared on the popular “Spittin’ Chiclets” hockey podcast.
Charles Barkley on the Difference Between NHL and NBA Players
Barkley joined the “Spittin’ Chiclets” co-hosts on Friday, May 16, and accurately predicted a win for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6. He also talked about the mentality winning athletes would cultivate and highlighted how he had seen it many times during his playing career.
He went on to praise hockey players for their commitment and desire to win.
“If you’re going to win, you have to be all in. That’s the thing I admire and respect about hockey players. You never hear them complain about load management. You never hear them complain about playing time. That’s why I love hockey, to be honest with you guys,” Barkley said.
Chuck knows that hockey players are just built different 💪 https://t.co/XskUPDUEuE pic.twitter.com/neGv18v34E
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets)
Speaking from personal experience, he also pointed out the differing attitudes of basketball players, recounting the complaints and negative atmosphere in the Phoenix Suns locker room during his time playing for them.
“If you’re going to win, you can’t worry about how much money other guys are making. You can’t worry about playing time. You can’t worry about who’s starting. I remember telling the owner that. I said, ‘The team is different because, with success, everything changes,'” Barkley recalled.
Barkley’s love for hockey began when he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984. During a 2024 interview with Sportsnet, he recalled how the 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers shared a stadium, which led to an interest in hockey.
“I started going to hockey games, and I have to say that while watching on TV is pretty good, but there’s nothing like a hockey game in person. It’s really awesome,” Barkley said via Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
Barkley had another viral moment ahead of this season’s playoffs when he predicted an all-Canadian Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He shared his prediction, which could still come true, with “NHL on TNT” host Liam McHugh.
“Two years ago, the Florida Panthers lost [the Stanley Cup], came back and won it,” Barkley said. “[Edmonton] Oilers lost last year; they are going to come back and win it this year. Same scenario.”
Barkley’s reaction to the Oilers’ 1-0 overtime win to clinch the Western Conference Second Round playoff series has also become popular online.