Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley’s last NBA on TNT show has fans emotional: “Best show ever!”

Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson delivered entertaining basketball coverage through Inside the NBA on TNT.

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley’s last NBA on TNT show has fans emotional: “Best show ever!”

Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson of Inside the NBA on TNT

Earlier today, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson opened the final regular season show of Inside the NBA. This will be the last time TNT will broadcast the regular season version of the show from studio J as it moves to ESPN next season.

The show had a stellar list of games covering both conferences. Of foremost interest were the Western Conference battles that would shape the playoff picture. Barkley had already stated his excitement ahead of today’s show.

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But since this show had historic significance, the quartet first gathered outside on a podium to talk about the show. They made their way from inside Studio J to the podium and host Ernie Johnson, the longest tenured member of this cast and a sports broadcasting Hall of Famer, gave a touching tribute to the fans and the people who have worked with them.

The production crew, staff and others associated with Inside the NBA gathered around the podium along with family members to give a collective tribute. The show ran some of the most hilarious snippets from their past.

Clips from episodes where O’Neal was trolled for his 1,2,3, not 1,2 back to 1 fiasco. His gas money logic and his hot chip eating clips were all televised. Barkley’s hilarious donkey kissing episode, along with his tryst with a bracelet and his guaranteed clips brought back laughter.

Smith’s hilarious depiction of Kobe Bryant‘s famous shoe commercial brought out laughs from the entire crew. These memories led Johnson to be emotional and he fought back tears knowing they were no longer going to display the TNT brand on their show.

Fans go through the feelings watching Inside the NBA closing show

Inside the NBA will continue into the playoffs. But, as a regular season inside the studio show, this was their last on TNT. That made this episode one for the ages and fans felt the emotions running throughout the show.

They took to social media to both congratulate and salute the quartet as well as the crew who worked tirelessly to deliver entertaining basketball analysis over the past three decades. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson are not retiring, as they will continue next year. But many are aware that ESPN will have some level of control over how the show is run. Considering how the round mound of rebound feels about the network, fans are hoping this does not backfire.

Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson are part of basketball folklore

The quartet that make up Inside the NBA have been delivering an outstanding show to basketball fans for over two decades. All of them are contracted to continue with the show for the foreseeable future after O’Neal confirmed his deal earlier this year.

Their jokes, chemistry and overall banter have made them household names. Admittedly, some of their recent takes have angered fans. But even fans know the NBA is not complete without these four delivering a humorous take every Thursday.

They are part of basketball folklore as broadcasters. Next season onwards, they will continue to produce the show from Studio J in Atlanta. But ESPN will officially broadcast the show on their airwaves after agreeing to a deal with TNT.

Thankfully, ESPN and TNT addressed Barkley’s fear of his co-workers losing their jobs. Now the only thing concerning fans is how long the quartet can continue with the show before they call it quits. Inside the NBA will continue with their playoff coverage as the 2024-25 season runs into its most important phase.