It didn’t take long for Inside the NBA to return to its usual antics.
During Wednesday night’s ESPN debut, Shaquille O’Neal wasted no time roasting his longtime teammate on set, Charles Barkley, over his weight loss.
What Did Shaquille O’Neal Say About Charles Barkley’s Weight Loss?
O’Neal couldn’t resist addressing Barkley’s over his much-discussed weight loss, leading to one of the show’s funniest moments yet.
“Chuck was fat last year,” Shaq declared mid-show, grinning from ear to ear. “Now look at him. He’s a sex symbol.”
The comment sent both the studio and fans into laughter, marking one of the first viral moments of Inside the NBA’s new era on ESPN.
Far from being offended, Barkley took the joke in stride, flashing a smile before explaining how he managed to shed the pounds.
“Shoutout to my doctors at Ro.co,” Barkley said, referring to the telehealth company that prescribes GLP-1 medication. “I’m working out too now. You’ve got to work out. You can’t just take a shot.”
The Hall of Famer has been open about his health journey for years. Back in 2023, he revealed that his doctor gave him a wake-up call that inspired the transformation.
“My doctor told me I was fat,” Barkley recalled at the time. “She said, ‘There’s no fat old people, only fat young people. If you don’t get this stuff together, you’re not gonna be around.’”
That moment pushed Barkley to make serious lifestyle changes. At the time, he reportedly lost around 60 pounds.
But for his new slim physique, the 11-time NBA All-Star credited the combination of GLP-1 medication — a class of drugs that help regulate blood sugar and appetite — and consistent exercise for the results.
The playful jab from Shaq was vintage Inside the NBA. Despite the move from TNT to ESPN, the chemistry between the four — Barkley, Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson — hasn’t missed a beat.
Wednesday’s debut episode already delivered the show’s trademark mix of basketball talk, humor, and unfiltered honesty. Fans tuning in were relieved to see the same free-flowing format that made Inside the NBA a cultural phenomenon during its 36-year run on TNT.
For Shaq and Chuck, the back-and-forth teasing is nothing new. Over the years, the two have gone at it about everything from Barkley’s golf swing to Shaq’s “lack of defense.” But this time, the joke carried an underlying note of respect, one that highlighted Barkley’s impressive commitment to his health.
When Will the Next Episode of Inside the NBA Air?
The first episode of Inside the NBA proved the show retains its originality, which can be credited to the fact that it’s still being managed by the old team.
The crew will return Thursday night (Oct. 23) for their next live broadcast on ESPN. Inside the NBA will air pregame from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by halftime and postgame coverage. The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Indiana Pacers, and the Denver Nuggets will face the Golden State Warriors.
Following a strong debut, expectations are high for the show’s continued run under its new network banner.
ESPN and TNT have maintained that TNT Sports still handles production and editorial control, keeping the same creative DNA that fans love intact.
If the opening week is any sign, the network swap hasn’t changed the show’s heartbeat — or its humor.
