Inside the NBA is back, on a new channel, but the same crew.
It’s still Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. They’re just on ESPN now.
They still get up to the same antics.
That included on Wednesday night before the New York Knicks took on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Barkley showed up on set looking visually quite slimmed down. Shaq noticed.
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The crew was discussing how things in the NBA might be different from last year, and Shaq decided to use Chuck’s physique as an example.
“That’s last year,” Shaq said. “Chuck was fat last year. Now look at him. He’s a sex symbol.”
Charles joined in: “He’s got a point about the sex symbol.”
Shaq: “That’s last year. Chuck was fat last year. Now look at him. He’s a sex symbol.” 🏀 📺🎙️ #NBA #ESPN #InsidetheNBA pic.twitter.com/Uu7aAfcPi5
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 22, 2025
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This will just be the first of many highlights (lowlights?) from this quartet this season.
It’s as good a symbol as any that basketball is back.
