Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals was the last time the ‘Inside the NBA on TNT’ panel had its final show. Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson appeared as they bid goodbye to the age-old program. ABC will host the 2025 NBA Finals games, and ESPN’s ‘NBA Countdown’ will present its analysis shows.
But before the start of the game, a viral moment surfaced on social media where O’Neal gatecrashed the set of the ‘NBA Countdown’ with Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers, and Kendrick Perkins giving their hot takes. Seeing the bond they shared as O’Neal stole the limelight became refreshing.
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With Travis Scott’s infamous track, ‘Fein,’ playing in the background, O’Neal made a grand entrance and shook hands with the panel members. They all hyped up the four-time NBA champion as the charismatic crew was excited to see him. It came out of the blue as O’Neal was in the building to witness the NBA Finals.
He shook hands with Smith, Andrews, and Myers before giving the microphone to Smith so that he could have a friendly fight with Perkins. O’Neal said by giving the mic, “Hold it, because I’m tired of Kendrick Perkins,” and went on to have a friendly exchange with the analyst.
Andrews appreciated O’Neal coming in and said, “Shaq, we appreciate you stopping by our set, and we’re looking forward to being your teammate here next year.”
It was great seeing the camaraderie between all the analysts as TNT bid goodbye to its coverage of the NBA. With everything set in place, the four legendary TNT members will take their talents to ESPN and ABC next season, but will still do most shows from Atlanta. But it became an emotional sign-off from the four icons.
“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the ‘NBA on TNT,’” said Johnson, dropping his mic and turning away to end a glittering association with the media giants.
Even O’Neal had a few words to say before he left the media giants. He said during the final broadcast show, “Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same.”
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Notably, the NBA won’t air games on TNT from next season following their 11-year, $76 billion deal, which will keep the games on ESPN and ABC, and it brings the league back to NBC while also starting a new partnership with Amazon Prime Video, according to NBA.com. With TNT airing games since 1988, it’s the dawn of a new era in broadcasting.
Thus, fans will be curious to see what happens around the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew and hope to see them analyzing plays and goofing around.
