One missed episode – and speculations ran wild – showed just how deeply fans care about Inside the NBA. For years now, the quartet of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson has delivered more than just basketball commentary. It’s their chemistry, humor, and unfiltered banter that keep viewers coming back. Well… almost all of them. Despite the overall love the show receives, it turns out not every fan feels the same way about each member of the crew.

The realization comes from a recent episode of the show.  If you tuned in recently, you probably did a double-take. Shaq was nowhere to be seen. Instead, holding it down in his absence was Detroit Pistons legend Jalen Rose. While Rose has subbed for Shaq before, two straight no-shows from the Big Fella had even Kenny Smith puzzled. When he asked about it, Ernie Johnson explained, “We don’t work Monday. Shaq’s got Tuesday off, so he’ll be here…” Even Chuck seemed surprised that Tuesday was a day off.

But Barkley wasn’t totally in the dark. He added, “He is going to the Upfronts. You don’t want to do that.” Then followed it up with a classic Chuck line: “You don’t want to go, you don’t want to be in New York right now, some gagging going on.” For those unfamiliar, Upfronts are media events where networks pitch their programming to advertisers—a very suit-and-tie kind of deal, likely involving Shaq on TNT’s behalf.

And while Rose is no stranger to stepping up, he’s filled in before when Barkley and Smith were out. This time, it’s the fans’ reactions that have raised eyebrows. Let’s just say, if Shaquille O’Neal or his fans read some of the online chatter, they might not love what’s being said.

Some fans enjoy Inside the NBA more without Shaquille O’Neal

One viewer summed up a growing sentiment online: “Jalen is such an improvement over Shaq.” That might sting a little for fans of the Hall of Famer, but it taps into something deeper. Inside the NBA has always thrived on chemistry more than play-by-play breakdowns—and that’s where Shaq divides the crowd. Critics argue Shaq’s humor often outweighs his X-and-O insights, and the big man’s style doesn’t always sit well. Even Kendrick Perkins once called him out, along with Barkley, for not keeping up with regular-season games.

And it’s not just one opinion floating around. Scroll through YouTube or Twitter, and you’ll see comments like, “so good to watch without Shaq…” It raises the question: How did one of the most beloved figures in basketball become such a polarizing voice on TV? Sure, the show’s wild and unpredictable energy is a fan favorite, but some say Shaq pushes it a little too far.

During the May 7, 2025 playoff edition of Inside the NBA, WWE superstar John Cena surprised the studio, prompting Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley to break into an impromptu, full-on wrestling skit. Shaq body-slammed Barkley to the floor, then playfully pinned him as Cena looked on in amusement. This moment prompted one fan to joke, “Shaq bully Chuck as always.” Then there were times like when he and Adam Lefkoe teased Candace Parker over her outfits, and that didn’t sit right with a lot of viewers either.

Consequently, some fans have bluntly demanded Shaq’s removal. One comment put it bluntly: “No Shaq is really good no toxic, bully, dumb and childish.” And these are now some rarely seen views. There have been instances on platforms like Reddit where they haven’t held back either. Some have called him “an egomaniacal prick” and labeling him “very sensitive and petty.” Many are just tired of hearing about his rings when there’s a game unfolding in real-time.

Still, not every reaction was hostile on the recently shared Inside the NBA clip on YT. A few viewers kept it light. “Shaq looks like he lost some weight,” one wrote, while another poked fun with, “Shaq’s hairline is crispy,” clearly referring to Jalen Rose with a wink. Though most fans adore the show, some fans desire a shake-up.

Ultimately, Shaq’s unexpected absences have laid bare what many insiders already suspected. Inside the NBA thrives on its unique blend of big-man banter and basketball insight. Disrupting that balance risks alienating a vocal segment of its audience.