Green and Barkley weren’t on-court rivals by any means, since Green was 10 years old when the Round Mound of Rebound called it a career. But there has been a bit of tension between the two in the past. The former MVP once said he wished someone would punch Green in the face, and Green once said Barkley should "probably should be quiet." He threatened to take Barkley's analyst job, adding, "He can’t talk basketball with me, either. Not smart enough, not qualified, no rings."
And then Barkley greeted Green with open arms upon his entry into the TNT studio.