Scrutinized for Being Absent, Shaquille O?Neal Returns to Inside the NBA Only to Cloud Terror Over Concerned Charles Barkley

The ?Inside the NBA? crew always have some things up their sleeve when it comes to joshing around with each other. Recently, the target was none other than Los Angeles Lakers legend, Shaquille O?Neal. Shaq missed out on being part of the show last week, so when the big man returned to the show, the rest of the crew displayed their concern, only to be clouded by terror by the four-time NBA champion.

Shaquille O?Neal missed out on the show after the All-Star weekend. The rest of the crew decided to mock him over it, claiming, ?Superman does not get sick,? and inferring that he must be someplace else.

Shaquille O’Neal gave Barkley that cold shoulder

After missing out on some time, O?Neal returned to the show on Thursday. The rest of the crew comprising Ernie Johnson, Kenny ?The Jet? Smith, and Charles Barkley were ecstatic to have him back.

Ernie Johnson asked Charles Barkley how it was to have the 15x All-Star join them back after he was out sick. Barkley replied, ?We called the hospital every day checking on you.? To that, O?Neal replied by saying, ?You Chuck? I heard what you said. I heard what you said.?

Barkley asked Shaq how he heard what they said about him. And Shaq was quick to inform them that it was on TV. Ernie Johnson decided to add fuel to the fire saying, ?It was something Hookah related.? Which automatically made Shaq laugh it off.

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Just to give a background on the context here, Shaq missed out on an appearance on the show, ?Inside The NBA.? While the rest of the crew was informed that Shaq was out sick, the three hosts had some other ideas.

What really went down in Shaq’s absence

The reason why Shaq gave Barkley that cold response was because it was the Philadelphia 76ers legend who first doubted his given excuse. Barkley said, ?Poor baby. Just go down the street, and you’ll see him, at the hookah bar.?

That immediately made Kenny ?The Jet? Smith jump in with his own opinion. The Houston Rockets legend said, ?If he took off and stayed in Atlanta, he’s an idiot… He’s not sick. He’s Superman, Superman doesn’t get sick.?

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Even Ernie Johnson gave his two cents on his fellow host. Johnson added, “Hey Shaq, man up. Come on man, I know this is backbreaking work, but come on, man.”

So, it is no wonder why the seven-footer had that death stare in his eye while talking to Barkley. However, everything was fun and games as they all laughed it up and moved past it. Plus, it was nice to see Shaq suit up for the show again.