TNT is out, ESPN is in. After years of NBA fans laughing at their television screens thanks to the camaraderie of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith, the incredible foursome has moved to ESPN for the 2025-26 season.
The team’s first broadcast on their new channel aired today at 6 p.m. ET in anticipation of the first full slate of NBA games this season.
One of the most highly anticipated games of the afternoon is the San Antonio Spurs at the Dallas Mavericks. Not only does it feature the return of Victor Wembanyama, but it will also feature the debut of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg for the Dallas Mavericks. Whenever San Antonio is involved, you know Charles Barkley could offer up a hilarious statement at any moment.
Here are the best moments from ESPN’s inaugural ‘Inside the NBA’ broadcast.
Best moments from ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN
‘Inside the NBA’ wasted no time leaning into their new channel. They also wasted no time mocking Charles Barkley for his enormous workload. Barkley fired back by poking at every athlete’s childhood dream of being on ESPN. Barkley even admitted he was nervous before coming on air today. However, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith called Barkley out for sucking up to their new bosses. Barkley was unamused.
The group also leaned in on their new sponsor, Popeye’s. Barkley was the first one to bring it up, but Shaq stole the show when he ‘gave a little soul’ to the famous Popeye’s jingle, which is shocking considering Shaq owns several stores in several fast food chains, but not a single Popeye’s.
Shaq calls Barkley a ‘sex symbol’
After returning from their second break, the team began making their picks to represent the Eastern Conference in this year’s NBA Finals. Barkley picked the New York Knicks, which was promptly clowned on by the rest of the team. When Barkley tried to point out some big moments that happened last year, Shaq answered back by saying, ‘That was last year. Charles [Barkley] was fat last year. Now look at him. He’s a sex symbol.’
Charles retorted with a massive grin, ‘Well you’re right about the sex symbol thing.’
Shaq picked the Cavaliers to make it out of the East. Kenny backed up Chuck, asking Ernie Johnson to add him to Chuck’s bold statement.
‘Inside the NBA’ Western Conference picks
Early on the show, Charles Barkley claimed that if Anthony Davis stays healthy, the Mavericks will go to the Western Conference Finals this year.
Later in the show, Barkley didn’t even name the Mavericks among his top-three Western Conference teams, listing the Thunder, Nuggets, and Rockets as his favorites to win the West.
Kenny Smith was very big on the Rockets, noting that Houston matches up very well with Oklahoma City, despite their loss to the Thunder on opening night.
Shaq, meanwhile, brought up the Golden State Warriors. He claimed that the Warriors’ starting five is as good as anyone else’s, but his concern about their health upset Ernie Johnson. Shaq made a bold statement, though, claiming that the Warriors would have a top-four seed in the Western Conference playoffs. He even said that if the Warriors are healthy, the Warriors’ lineup will be one of the scariest in the league come the postseason.
Mickey Mouse offers Chuck a plate of donuts
The group made several jokes throughout the show regarding Barkley’s improved frame. The 1993 NBA MVP has slimmed down remarkably since last season. But that didn’t stop the crew from giving him some food. In fact, ESPN rolled out the red carpet with the mouse himself offering Barkley a plate of donuts.
Barkley, unaware of Mickey Mouse’s presence, was startled when the donuts showed up. Fans did not get to see whether or not Barkley ate any of the donuts.