“Inside the NBA” remains the best watch in sports television, even though – let’s face it – the show’s principals have precious little inside information to share. (And in fact don’t even seem interested in watching the games that appear on their air. Ever notice how they seem surprised by many of the highlights they are shown each night?)
No matter, though. The show’s secret sauce has always been the chemistry among Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. It always feels like four guys sitting around, chopping it up, giving each other the business (and only occasionally letting viewers in on their many inside jokes).
It feels so genuine, and stands in stark contrast to ESPN’s stilted coverage of the Association (which should be kept in mind, since “Inside the NBA” will migrate to ESPN next season, while still being produced by TNT).
Tuesday night offered a case in point for what makes “inside” so special. After John Haliburton, father of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haiiburton, ventured onto the court and taunted Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo following Indiana’s series-clinching overtime victory in Game 5, the crew – especially Barkley and Shaq – engaged in a spirited debate. It was not the least bit contrived. It wasn’t Stephen A. Smith mean-mugging and acting aggrieved – emphasis on the word “acting.” It was two guys with an honest disagreement, comfortable airing their grievances. And never mind that the cameras happened to be rolling.
It started out with an exchange over whether the elder Haliburton should have even been on the court – Barkley claiming he shouldn’t have been, while Shaq saying it happens all the time, before incorrectly adding that Giannis was the one who instigated the whole thing.
Barkley wasn’t buying any of that.
“He’s an idiot,” he said of John Haliburton, “and if you think that’s right, you’re an idiot, too.”
TNT then cut to highlights of the game, as well as comments from the participants. There was video of the elder Haliburton standing a few feet in front of Giannis, moments after his son capped an overtime-closing 8-0 flurry with the decisive layup, giving Indiana a 119-118 victory. Giannis later told reporters that John Haliburton was waving a towel that showed a photo of his son, and yelling, “This is what we effing do,” which Antetokounmpo said was “very disrespectful.”
“I’m happy for his son and happy that he’s happy for his son,” he added. “That’s how you’re supposed to feel, but coming to me and disrespecting me and cursing at me I think is totally unacceptable.”
Tyrese Haliburton agreed, telling reporters, “I don’t think my Pops was in the right at all there.” And John Haliburton would later apologize via social media.
In the moment, there was a return to the TNT studio, and the Barkley-O’Neal debate, which had changed slightly.
Shaq argued that aberrant behavior by fans “comes with the territory.”
“I’m not saying it’s right,” he said. “I’m saying don’t be a punk and whine about it. You lose, and you move on.”
He then mentioned that when he played at LSU, he used to go to places like Ole Miss and Mississippi State. We can only imagine how much racist crap he heard there. And yet, he said, he never lashed out.
That also happened to be a point Barkley made.
“The thing that bothers me,” Sir Charles said, “is that if Giannis whupped (John Haliburton’s) ass, Giannis would be in trouble.”
(As Barkley admitted on Dan Patrick’s show Wednesday, he didn’t think he could have restrained himself. “Ain’t no way in hell I wouldn’t have clocked his ass,” he told Patrick. “And I ain’t trying to be no fake tough guy on television; there’s no way I wouldn’t have punched him in the face when he did what he did.” And, well, there is ample evidence from Barkley’s playing career that he would have done just that.)
Personally I’ve always found Shaq to be the weak link to the TNT crew, and believe the show would be far better if someone like Candace Parker took his place. But he made some good points Tuesday. And Barkley did the same.
So never mind the show’s shortcomings. It is exchanges like this that make it so special. We can all only hope it remains that way in its new home.