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‘Inside the NBA’ is arguably the leading basketball show on the planet. Winning 11 Emmys, the TNT network’s show has been a huge hit. The blend of theatrics and basketball analytics has made fans adore the show. However, they would be nothing without the star cast, comprising of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith. These personalities have become household names in the realm of the NBA. And as Christmas approaches, they once again surprised their loyal fanbase. Notably, it was the Big Diesel who became the victim this time on the show.

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The ‘Inside the NBA’ crew is iconic for many reasons. Three of the hosts are NBA legends. While Charles Barkley and Shaq are enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Smith has a keen knowledge of the game of basketball. He is often the one breaking down NBA clashes and highlighting the great plays. Then the action switches over to Shaq and Chuck. Their love-hate relationship makes for comedic moments almost every night. The pair are constantly looking to embarrass each other as they disagree on matters. And to wrap it up is a much-respected TV personality in Ernie Johnson who tries to keep everyone in line best he can.

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Each of their personas has allowed the show to shine through. However, tonight as ‘Inside the NBA’ celebrated the lead-up to Christmas, it seems the roles switched. Notably, the former Houston Rockets star Kenny Smith became the dominant one as he seemingly shoved Shaquille O’Neal into the festive tree.

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Kenny Smith pushes Shaquille O’Neal into the Christmas tree

There are several segments on the show. Some have Barkley guessing the teams of various NBA stars, while there are some which expose the crew for their hilarious general knowledge. However, for Smith, one segment is very dear to him, and that is the race to the video board. With the nickname ‘Jet’, it is only fitting to see the two-time NBA champion come out on top. While he has taken some losses over the years, today wasn’t going to be one.

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Kenny Smith left the fans speechless as he seemingly shoved Shaquille O’Neal into the Christmas tree in the heat of the competition.

Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:

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Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time the ‘Jet’ has done this to the four-time NBA champion. Around seven years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers legend got pushed into the tree. Right around the time of sharing gifts, all it took was eye contact for the duo to begin the race. As Shaq got the head start, Smith saw the loss in front of his eyes. Likewise, to avoid embarrassment, he pushed the three-time Finals MVP right out of the way.

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It seems the Rockets legend is getting back at the Big Aristotle for all the torture he has given him over the years. But knowing Shaquille O’Neal, he might just come back for vengeance soon.

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Do you think Shaq has something in store for Kenny Smith soon? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,479 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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