ESPN and TNT collaborated on coverage for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, which produced exactly as much chaos as you’d expect.
It was a huge meeting of the minds between ESPN’s NBA team and TNT’s beloved Inside the NBA crew. That is a lot of strong personalities on one screen. But it was Charles Barkley who immediately took over control of the broadcast.
The former NBA big man complimented ESPN’s Malika Andrews and said that Mike Wilbon was his mentor and friend. He also added that he “loved” former Warriors executive Bob Myers. But then it got unhinged.
WARNING: The following clip contains language not safe for work.
Charles Barkley came in HOT at Stephen A. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/VhDzpt91VJ
— ESPN (@espn) December 7, 2023
But he had some sharp words for ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Barkley warned Smith that if he came over being loud during the broadcast, it wouldn’t be First Take. Instead, he said that it would be the first [expleitive] whooping that he takes.
.@SHAQ really had @stephenasmith worried 😅 pic.twitter.com/XuP3upxcdt
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 7, 2023
Shaquille O’Neal then asked the question everyone watching was wondering: Are you not entertained?!
He then came over to torment ESPN’s Smith for a bit as well with a prank of his own.
