TNT’s ‘Inside The NBA’ has a claim to the title of ‘most entertaining basketball talk show’. The show’s panel, which consists of Ernie Johnson and former NBA stars Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal, often sees the panel discuss the events of the NBA season in a very engaging manner.
Charles Barkley is perhaps the most outspoken panelist, often making jokes at others’ expense. And the latest to face the wrath of Sir Charles was none other than his fellow panelist Kenny Smith. Smith, like Barkley and Shaq, was a player in the NBA. But he wasn’t the caliber of player they were.
His career highlights included two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets, including one Finals win over fellow panelist Shaquille O’Neal.
With the NBA celebrating its 75th anniversary, they put out a list of the 75 greatest players in the history of the league. Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal both made it to the list, but Kenny was never in consideration to make the list.
In a joking attempt to console him, Charles Barkley told Kenny Smith that he would make the NBA’s 5000 greatest players in history, coming in at rank 409 within the next 20 years. Kenny began laughing, meaning that he had no hard feelings about the comment from Chuck.
Charles Barkley to Kenny Smith: “In about 20 years, you gonna be on the list. The 5000 best NBA players…” pic.twitter.com/0ExymdALvn
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) October 21, 2021
“In about twenty years you’re gonna be on the list… The 5000 best NBA players, number 409, you’re making it on the list!”
Oftentimes, the panelists will make each other and other players the subject of jokes and barbs during the course of the discussion. Notably, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal often aim friendly shots at each other for the sake of the show’s entertainment.
But it isn’t just the panelists that are the subject of the jokes. Most recently, Charles Barkley trolled DeAndre Jordan and LeBron James’ hairline before and after the Los Angeles Lakers’ first game of the season against the Golden State Warriors.
