Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? No, it’s Shaquille O’Neal. “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive,” Ernie Johnson said. Among his many nicknames, Shaq owns the Man of Steel moniker best. This time on Inside the NBA he provided his hilarious childhood story to explain his superhero origins. Charles Barkley was having none of it.

Gone is the wholesome fuzziness the show opened with. Shaq’s story is proving to be Chuck’s villain origin story. It all began with Shaq narrating how he discovered he could be Superman. “So it’s the first movie I’ve ever seen in my life,” Shaq said perhaps referring to the Christopher Reeve era of Superman.

“One of the scenes in Superman was where he beat the train. So I used to have to cross the train tracks every day to go to school. One day, the train was way back there, so I just started running.” Barkley remembers the story a little differently back in the day. Shaq used to tell him, “I beat the train and that’s when I knew I was Superman.” 

Shaq alleged that he beat the train in a race in his mind. “I was flying, and I look back was like, ‘Damn, I’m Superman.'” That’s when Sir Charles wished aloud, “Man, I wish the train had’ve hit him…” He’s only kidding. He loves his big bestie.

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No love lost between Shaq and Chuck

Inside the NBA started with a rare show of friendliness between the bickering duo. Shaq revealed that he looked up to The Round Mound of Rebound, and would sneak up to him to express that. “First time I met him… I used to sneak into the back of the game and I met Charles.” 

Barkley had a similar sentiment from the first time he met the LSU upstart. When the 1993 MVP saw the agile 7-foot monster, he was ready to hang up the Nikes. “First time we saw you, we were being like, ‘Yeah, it’s time to retire.’ Nobody should be that big, that fast, that athletic.”

The anniversary of their first matchup is on February 7. It was in that 1993 game when O’Neal shattered the backboard and proved he’s worthy of the Superman moniker. Chuck led his team to a win but you can see why he and everyone else had awe mixed with fear over the Orlando Magic rookie. Despite that little sprinkling of sweetness, we’re more used to their banter.

READ MORE: Season of Love Strikes Early as Shaquille O’Neal & Charles Barkley Steal a Minute on Live TV to Honor Each Other