The NBA is on the verge of completing its first In-Season Tournament. ESPN and TNT staged on-site sets for studio-based programs NBA Countdown and Inside the NBA, respectively. The two shows interacted with one another before the game with special segments that incorporated a split-screen view of both presentations. Banter between Stephen A. Smith and Charles Barkley seemed to take center stage, with various moments circulating around social media.
On Friday morning, Stoney and Jansen with Heather on 97.1 The Ticket played audio of Barkley declaring that he would give Smith his “first ass whooping” if he came to the TNT set, which led Jon Jansen to share his admiration for Barkley.
“Charles and Shaq together are terrific,” co-host Jon Jansen said, “but every time you hear Charles, it’s just pure entertainment.”
Charles Barkley is an 11-time NBA All-Star and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and has been a fixture on Inside the NBA since joining the program in 2000. Over the years, he has frequently received plaudits for being a venerated and entertaining analyst and travels to venues with the rest of the crew for special episodes during the year. Barkley also recently started hosting a weekly CNN show, King Charles, alongside Gayle King where he discusses matters beyond sports, including politics and lifestyle.
During his time on the show, Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have had a congenial feud that has included several lighthearted moments. From races to the big board in the studio to pranks played on one another, the rapport between these former players has long been regarded as a hallmark of the program. O’Neal further displayed his personality by manning the SHAQ Cam for Bleacher Report, in which he walked around the venue and interacted with fans and celebrities, including Rich Paul, French Montana, and Julius Erving.
“The only problem with Shaq is ‘cause you can’t understand what he has to say sometimes because his voice is so low, but they did a thing last night where they gave him his own camera and he’s walking around the stands and talking to people and some celebrities,” co-host Mike Stone said. “It was hysterical. That’s the best sports programming there is besides the game; it’s not even close. Inside the NBA is just awesome.”
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, along with fellow analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith and host Ernie Johnson, make their return to the TNT airwaves on Tuesday for an NBA doubleheader.
