“First a** whooping you take!” Charles Barkley HILARIOUSLY shuts up ‘loud a** talker’ Stephen A Smith in crossover of a lifetime

Barkley calling out Smith in the opening segment of the show was the best appetizer fans could have wanted.

“First a** whooping you take!” Charles Barkley HILARIOUSLY shuts up ‘loud a** talker’ Stephen A Smith in crossover of a lifetime

(R) Charles Barkley hilariously going after (L) Stephen A. Smith (Image via screengrab YouTube)

Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith squared off for the first time on national television. In-Season Tournament semi-finals being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, brought together an unprecedented situation.

For the first time in history, Inside the NBA on TNT and NBA on ESPN combined to take on the hosting duties of the games. Joining the NBA on ESPN crew was Stephen A. Smith, the host of First Take on ESPN. So for the first time in history, Barkley crossed over with Smith. This led to some brilliant opening jibes. With Barkley stating;

Let me tell you something Stephen A, if you come over here with all that loud a** talking today--Hey, this ain't First Take, this going to be the first a** whooping you take.

Barkley calling out Smith was hilarious enough banter for both the crews.

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Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith have been friends for a long time. They have given credit to each other throughout their broadcasting careers. But this crossover was unprecedented and historical. Barkley and Smith trading jabs in their opening encounters was a highlight reel for the ages.

Barkley has long admired Smith’s work and vice versa. Even though they have hilariously called each other out on their respective shows, this is the first time for them on national television on the same stage.

Fans had a feast day with Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith together

Fans have always wondered what a crossover of Barkley and Smith would look like. Being on different networks does not make it feasible for both of them to appear together. But this arrangement by the NBA made this combined show a must-watch.

NBA on TNT crew alongside Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon
NBA on TNT crew alongside (R) Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon (Image via Screengrab/Twitter)

Barkley calling out Smith in the opening segment of the show was the best appetizer fans could have wanted. This hilarious exchange set the tone for the rest of the show. Some fan reactions;

The way fans reacted should be caveat enough for the two networks to do such combined shows more and more. It gives the fans what they want, and the networks also get their ratings up.

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