Why Are Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal & TNT Boys Missing From Live Coverage? Exploring the New Faces of Fan Favorite Show

TNT covered five NBA games on 13th December 2023. But there was a big change in the panel! The regulars, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, were missing from live coverage. But some new faces stepped up to take the spots of the TNT Boys and gave a fresh look to the show. But why did Barkley, O’Neal, Smith, and Johnson choose to miss ‘Inside the NBA’?

Well, ‘The Godfather’ Ernie Johnson was being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Since it was Ernie’s biggest moment in his career, the TNT Boys flew to New York to surprise him. Shaq, Chuck, and Kenny were present at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony to witness their long-time partner receive the highest honor in broadcasting.

The games on TNT were being covered by a new panel full of NBA legends. The show’s host was Adam Lefkoe, accompanied by legends Grant Hill, Vince Carter, and Jamal Crawford. That night every crew member on the show was decked up in a black t-shirt honoring ‘The Godfather.’

Charles Barkley broke the news of Ernie Johnson’s Hall of Fame induction in June. Both the ‘Inside the NBA’ partners shared a wholesome moment, as Ernie was overwhelmed by the announcement and gave a heartfelt speech.

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Ernie became the host of ‘Inside the NBA’ in 1990, and he has led the show to unfathomable heights. The TNT show has won 17 Sports Emmy Awards and been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame under Johnson’s watchful eye.

The Legacy of ‘Inside the NBA’

The TNT show co-hosted by broadcasting legend Ernie Johnson is famous for its deep insights and amazing chemistry between the panelists. After a short stint on the University of Georgia baseball team, Ernie Johnson turned to broadcasting, and that’s where he truly excelled. Ernie became the first member of the panel when he took over the hosting duties in 1990. And as fans claim, “Everybody loves Ernie.”

The legend was joined by two-time Champion Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith in 1998. The show took off when Hall of Famer Charley Barkley joined the panel two years later. And LA Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal joined the show in 2011 after his NBA retirement. Shaq, being one of the biggest showmen in league history, elevated their discussions to another level. But O’Neal has also learned a lot from Ernie, often dubbing the veteran as his “God Father”.

The TNT Boys never looked back since the Big Aristotle entered the fold. Fans eagerly await Chuck and Shaq’s frequent back and forth, Ernie’s wisdom, and Kenny’s in-depth analysis. And their chemistry is what makes the show legendary.

Ernie’s induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and it will be great to see the legend getting his flowers in the presence of his partners. What do you think?

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