One full season before Inside the NBA moves to the other network but TNT vs ESPN already seems to be on the cards. For those unaware, NBA on TNT recently posted on X that ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith will face one of the Inside the NBA cast members in a free throw shooting contest. With two members already declining the challenge for their reasons, all hope seemingly lies in one name.

The conversation started with Ernie Johnson bringing up the discussion on Smith joining Inside the NBA cast for one of their segments in Las Vegas this Saturday. The next question that Johnson had for his co-hosts was who among the three NBA legends would be facing off against Stephen A Smith. “I’m a coach… I would get Shaq to shoot better free throws than [Smith],” Kenny said, taking a dig at Shaq and being the first one to withdraw his name.

And when Charles Barkley asked if The Jet felt he was too good to go against Stephen A. Smith, the former Houston Rockets star didn’t mince his words. “Y’all seen who I beat on this show… You’ve seen the people that come on this show that… I’m too good for that.” 

Well, it’s no secret that Kenny has the highest career free throw percentage of all three NBA legends on Inside the NBA. The 2x NBA champ even finished in the NBA’s top ten three times for three-point percentage. And in the NBA’s top ten twice for free throw percentage.

The next to decline the free throw challenge against the ESPN analyst was Shaq himself. “Stephen A’s not big enough for me. I decline…” he said. Further clarifying, he means bigger in stature and bigger in life. The 4x NBA champ, however, had another offer. “What I propose is 4-on-4, stak5 [Stephen Jackson], Matt Barnes, Kendrick Perkins, somebody else against us four … In a one game to 12.” But that did not seem to stick.

With this, the only one left to most likely face the ESPN analyst in a free throw contest is Charles Barkley. Smith, however, had a reply for all the cast members after their response on the challenge. “This ain’t a first pitch fellas. I’ll give @TheJetOnTNT a chance in a FT contest…. I’m beating Chuck…” he wrote, further highlighting that Shaq does not even stand a chance. Meanwhile, he humbly stood down to Ernie. “See y’all this Saturday. Love y’all.”

Smith may be a rival, truly be taking the crew up for a challenge, but he does indeed hold immense love and respect for the four.

Stephen A Smith’s reaction to Inside the NBA moving to ESPN

Smith couldn’t hold back his excitement about Inside the NBA making its way to ESPN next season. Imagine the iconic show, still produced in Atlanta by the TNT crew, now airing on ESPN and ABC. For Smith, and fans everywhere, it’s a win-win situation. On The Stephen A. Smith Show, he called the move “the best thing that could’ve happened,” celebrating the addition of such a legendary program to ESPN’s roster.

Smith further reminded fans that this deal keeps the beloved crew—Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley—intact. “To know that these brothers are gonna stay together. And continue to do the NBA for years to come, I can’t be more happier for them,” he shared. He even gave a shout-out to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro for pulling this off.

But what about Smith’s role at ESPN? No worries there—he made it clear nothing’s changing for him. With First Take and his podcast, he’s got plenty on his plate. And let’s not forget, he’s tight with the Inside crew. Whether it’s his deep respect for Ernie, his brotherhood with Shaq, or his junior high connection to Kenny, Smith’s bond with the team is undeniable. So it’ll be nothing but fun to watch the two sides from different networks engaging in friendly contests now and then.