What would you name as the most bittersweet moment for you once the ongoing NBA tournament comes to a close? For many, including me, it would be the conclusion of ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT. For more than a decade, the crew of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith provided in-depth analysis and entertained fans with jokes, pranks, and just their usual camaraderie. Now, despite Shaq signing a big extension with TNT, and the network set to license the show to broadcast on ESPN and ABC from next season, the crew will be broken up. Therefore, Shaq would have been making the best of these final moments. But his co-hosts, hilariously, were not allowing him to.

During the coverage of Game 5 of the Warriors-Timberwolves series, Ernie Johnson Jr. said, “Charles, didn’t you think Dwight did a great job last night? When he did his own version of ‘Shaqtin’ a Fool’?” This was, of course, a reference to 2020 NBA champion Dwight Howard subbing in for Shaq during Tuesday’s broadcast. Any long-time NBA enthusiasts would certainly be aware of the long-time feud that has existed between the two former players.

Howard proved that by getting too comfortable in Shaq’s chair and even putting his feet on the table, while Shaq had to come in and wipe the table with a spray for the next game coverage. Therefore, as Charles and Ernie talked about Dwight Howard’s performance, it was no surprise that they were trying to get a reaction out of Shaq.

“I thought Dwight was fabulous,” said Charles Barkley. Kenny Smith, who also missed out on the episode featuring Dwight Howard (Shaq, of course, missed it purposely), was surprised that the guest did ‘Shaqtin’ a Fool’. However, Charles and Ernie had to tell him that there was just fooling around, and that sitting on his chair was as close as Howard got to associating with TNT Shaq. The 4x NBA Champion, in relief, said, “Oh boy, I was about to knock you out”. While Shaq was, of course, kidding, one should be careful to never be on the opposite end of a punch from the 7-foot-1, 325-pound former athlete.

The feud between Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard goes back to 2012, when the latter was still in the middle of his NBA career. Shaq was one of his major critics even before that year, as he used to take advantage of the launch of Twitter (now X) by taking shots at Howard’s ‘Superman’ nickname (Ironically, the author was wearing a Dwight Howard ‘Superman’ T-Shirt while writing this article). After becoming an analyst, Shaq put out the bold take that Brook Lopez was a better center than Howard. Howard responded back by saying, “He’s done. He’s gone. It’s time to move on.”

Over the years, the snide remarks and takes continued, which Shaq still believes the ‘Superman’ nickname belonged to him only. At times, it felt that the duo buried the hatchet. A recent example was when Shaq hosted Howard on one of the episodes of his ‘The Big Podcast’ back in April. However, the pair then go on to do stuff like the recent antics on TNT that tell fans things are not patched up. Long shot, but perhaps they are simply trolling the fans nowadays by faking their feud, just like Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon.

Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Lakers legend would have been one disappointed person over Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson’s trolling, while the duo were having the time of their lives. After all, who knows when this opportunity will present itself again? Shaq should certainly relate, since he also had his fun in recent days.

Shaquille O’Neal’s hilariously dropped ‘F-Bomb’ amid uncertain future with ‘Inside the NBA’: “We’re getting fired anyway”

The ‘Inside the NBA’ crew traveled to San Francisco to cover the recent All-Star weekend back in February. Knowing it was their final time doing so, the four hosts were making the event count. During halftime, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley raced each other in front of a live audience during the show. Shaq won the race by reaching the video board in the back of the set first. The victory compelled him to drop a hilarious quip.

“In the words of Marshawn Lynch, I’m tired as s—, America,” said Shaq while returning to his seat. Of course, everything from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘The Bear’ taught us that hiding explicit words is a thing of the past. However, things are different for a show that everyone, from old people to kids, watches along with the NBA matchup. Therefore, the hosts laughed at Shaq’s boldness. However, the 52-year-old Lakers legend dismissed that, and added “We’re getting fired anyway, Ernie, f— it!”.

Well, of course, no one was getting fired. ‘Inside the NBA’ was simply coming to an end. Plus, Shaq would have been the last person getting fired from TNT. Man did sign a $15 million per year extension with TNT around mid-February. Nevertheless, that was the time to have some uncensored fun, and that is what Shaq did.

It remains uncertain as to what the future might hold for Shaquille O’Neal in his broadcasting career. Whatever happens, however, Shaq hopes he does not have to host a show with Dwight Howard. Although the ratings for that show would be through the roof.