‘[We’re] About A Month From Shaq Setting Himself On Fire’: Charles Barkley Explains Why Shaquille O’Neal Struggled On Inside The NBA Early On

As a long-time viewer of TNT’s Inside the NBA, I can confidently say that the show’s charm lies not only in its insightful basketball analysis but also in the camaraderie and humor displayed by its co-hosts. One such personality who has undeniably added spark to the program is the one and only Shaquille O’Neal.

The captivating appeal of TNT’s Inside the NBA lies not only in its insightful basketball commentary, but also in the charisma of its hosts. For example, Shaquille O’Neal has been a delight to viewers since he joined the team more than a decade ago. Initially, it seemed that Shaq faced a bit of a learning curve when he started out as a broadcaster. Charles Barkley shared why the basketball great had difficulties during his early years – prompting jokes from his co-hosts about him potentially setting himself on fire at some point.

Charles Barkley recently talked on Paul George’s “Podcast P” about the possible end of “Inside the NBA” and sports broadcasting as a whole. In discussing why shows like ESPN can’t replace the long-running TNT talk show, Barkley reminisced on the growing pains the series has experienced throughout its history. Specifically, he recollected the time when Shaq joined the team in 2011, which marked a period of adjustment. According to Barkley, Shaq was certainly eager – but perhaps a bit too boisterous during that transition phase.

When Shaq joined us, there were some challenging moments due to his hilarious antics. He’d often say, ‘I need to do something tonight,’ and we’d oblige. The following week, it was the same thing. Eventually, we had to have a talk with him because we had seven more months of this ahead. The humor in the studio was that Shaq might soon attempt to set himself on fire due to his constant attempts to outshine himself. I said, ‘No, man, this is a marathon, not a sprint. We’re on TV once a week from October to January, then we have the All-Star game and two months of playoffs. We’re not trying to outdo ourselves every night.’ So, we had to remind him to cool down and focus on the long season ahead.

It appears that Shaquille O’Neal may have been conscious of Inside the NBA’s fame for presenting eccentric behavior before joining the program, as he made a concerted effort at the start. However, Charles Barkley clarified that participating in this show isn’t a short-term endeavor but a lengthy one, which sounds quite demanding. Over time, it seems like O’Neal adapted well to everything, given how comfortable and natural he now appears on the show. Later in his interview, Charles Barkley even praised his friend and occasional debater, highlighting their friendly rivalry.

Shaq has been an enjoyable newcomer. He’s quite amusing and always seems to enjoy a good-natured prank. In fact, I really enjoy teasing him. He may appear tough on the outside, but he’s actually quite tender. He can be quite sensitive, which makes me laugh even more. And when I manage to get him worked up, it’s one of my favorite moments in the evening. Overall, I find this delightful.

More on Charles Barkley

As I sat down to reflect on my years at TNT, I realized something humbling: I left over $100 million on the table to ensure jobs were saved there. That’s a tough pill to swallow, but it was worth it for the team that became like family to me.

Fundamentally, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the most hilarious broadcasting duos ever. They have a unique ability to bring out the best, and sometimes the zaniest, in each other. Among many unforgettable moments they’ve created for Inside, some of the most talked-about include an episode where their laughter went viral after the Los Angeles Clippers called the police on the Houston Rockets following a disagreement. Besides on-air banter, they also tease each other off-camera, like when Shaq jokingly mentioned Barkley while discussing his decision to lose weight.

Fans were dismayed when they found out earlier this year that “Inside the NBA” might be canceled because TNT lost the rights to broadcast the same sports league. This news sparked an outpouring of nostalgia on social media, with many sharing amusing moments featuring Shaq and “Chuck” from past seasons. It appears that the series will indeed conclude after the 2024-2025 TV season. However, there’s a silver lining: the hosts are likely to make the final season a heartfelt, humorous farewell.

Shaquille O’Neal should be at the peak of his performance, much like Charles Barkley (who has retracted his retirement statements), Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. The four-time NBA champion has made significant strides in broadcasting, and it’s enjoyable to see him develop in his role. I believe that fans of the show would concur that the program benefits from him continuing to hone his skills, and choosing not to literally set himself on fire.

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2024-08-24 16:37