Charles Barkley Reveals Nine-Word Phrase That Caused Julius Erving to Fight Larry Bird

Charles Barkley is known as the lovable "Inside the NBA" co-host of Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith in this day and age, but many fans don't realize he was once one of the most notorious "bad boys" and anti-authority figures in the league.

Recently, Barkley broke down tape of a mid-'80s fight between Larry Bird and his teammate Julius "Dr. J." Erving that escalated as Bird was getting the better of his elder opponent on the court.

Barkley ended up breaking up the fight between the two NBA legends, which started with a nine-word phrase that set "The Doctor" off and led to an on-court scuffle.

Related: Paul Pierce Slaps Down 'Clowns' Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley In Triumphant Social Media Post

Related: Five Three-Point Shooters Better Than Caitlin Clark

"So Larry Bird was a great trash talker," Barkley said , according to an article on SI.com.

"He's killing Doc. He's like, 'Charles, y'all better get this old man off me,' and Doc just had enough."

The scuffle continued with the two forwards becoming entangled. Bird ended up on the ground and later took it up with Erving, which led to a choking match between the two.

Erving was later asked why he and Bird didn't get along, and he chalked their at-times violent rivalry on the court up to Bird's standing with the 76ers' Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics.

"The irony is, we did get along," Erving said. "It's just that, when somebody plays for Boston and somebody else plays for Philly, you have to get on the court and play with one another, I don't care if it's your mother," he added. "You're not supposed to get along."

Related: Brian Windhorst Has Stern Reality Check For Mark Cuban After Mavericks Lose In Finals

Related: NBA Makes Major Luka Doncic Announcement On Heels of Mavs' Playoff Exit

Dr. J eventually landed two punches on Bird, who was being held from behind by Barkley and teammate Moses Malone.

All of them were ejected for their roles in the fight.

"They come together, and I just kind of grab Larry," Barkley said. "I went back and looked at the tape, and Doc was nailing (him). I grabbed Larry because I didn't want him hitting Doc."

Related: Paul Pierce Slaps Down 'Clowns' Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley In Triumphant Social Media Post