“This is as close as I’ll ever come to having brothers,” Ernie Johnson once said about his Inside the NBA co-hosts. Johnson has worked with Charles Barkley for more than two decades and certainly knows the Chuckster better than anyone else. With next year being the last of Barkley’s now 24-year broadcasting career on TNT, Johnson attempted to express Chuck’s value to the show in words.

“He is a people’s guy. If you ever see him out, everyone congregates around him and he takes time with everybody,” Johnson said on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, featuring Charles Barkley as the guest. When asked about Barkley’s role on the show and his kind attitude, Johnson spoke about Chuck’s candidness.

He shared how the 11x NBA All-Star has always fearlessly expressed his opinions, which has made him a favorite among fans. In response to David Letterman’s question about what contributes to Barkley’s magnetic attitude, Johnson said, “Speaks his mind. Never holds back, just like when he was a player, most quotable in the league, and he’s that way now. You see a lot of athletes morph into the sportscaster guy, and then all of a sudden, when the light goes on, they scale it back and he doesn’t. So he’s forthcoming with everything he needs.”

Johnson couldn’t have put it any better. From his hilarious exchanges with Shaquille O’Neal to the memorable ‘Race to the Board’ with Kenny Smith, Barkley is the heart of the iconic show.  Moreover, he shares a special relationship with Ernie, who he respects so much. The two of them even host a podcast for TNT, The Steam Room.

Barkley’s retirement announcement came as a shock to his fans, who had grown accustomed to watching his unbiased takes on TV. Coming back to the Netflix episode, Johnson also shared a hilarious story about Barkley during his conversation with the famous talk show host.

Charles Barkley doesn’t wear underwear, reveals Ernie Johnson

The Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer hilariously pointed out that the Philadelphia 76ers legend burned all of his underwear almost 20 years ago. “There are certain things that you probably don’t wanna know that he volunteers… Well, (Barkley) doesn’t wear underwear… He said he burned them all at one time,” Johnson told Letterman.

Well, apart from the humorous exchange, Johnson just pointed out why the Chuckster is one of the most loved NBA personalities. Of course, the announcement hadn’t been made public at the time of the Netflix special’s shoot or upon its release.

Together with Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, among other crew members, they have made the show successful. It’s heartbreaking to hear that Chuck is retiring from his broadcasting career following the buzz about TNT Sports losing the NBA TV rights. He had always expressed that the reason for him to stay with TNT was basketball, and he is likely to walk away if that condition is not fulfilled.

Just a few days ago, the Phoenix Suns legend’s interview with a New York Times reporter on the same issue made both Smith and Johnson concerned about it. However, now, Chuck says that regardless of the situation, he is ready to say goodbye to the network. The situation right now in TNT Sports is quite complicated. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.