The post-season air is super competitive in Studio J. Kenny “The Jet” Smith is feeling the bitter taste of it most. The 2x champion is not living up to that nickname after his feet didn’t propel him to the board fast enough. And that’s 2-0 for Kenny! He’s lost the Race to the Board to his biggest rivals, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal across two playoff broadcasts. Not only are the childish victors rubbing it in, fans aren’t letting him live the humiliation down.

This is different from the other races this season. It was two nights in a row, as bitter as the Lakers, 76ers, or Pelicans are feeling after two defeats in the first round. And Kenny is salty about it.

Kenny “The Jet” Smith demands a review

Halftime began with a dash to the board tonight. This time Kenny’s opponent was Shaq. The 7’1″ giant’s wingspan gave him the advantage, touching the board first in a photo-finish. Smith was not able to accept the defeat immediately, demanding a slow motion replay to review the circumstances. “We can see where I started. I want to see when he started. Way before,” he alleged.

He contended that Shaq took off before him. That was the opening for Chuck, in a rare moment of taking Shaq’s side, countering, “He started after you!” Sorry Kenny. But the replay clearly shows you had the lead, as Chuck said, and blew it as bad as the Lakers blowing double-digit leads in this series.

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The previous night, he lost just as poorly on Monday to Chuck. Barkley hollered, “I’m not going to lose in the playoffs,” and he didn’t. Then too Kenny demanded multiple angles of replay but they all concluded that he is indeed the loser.

What ensued after the race was very unsportsmanlike behavior from a seasoned racer like Kenny. He sulked on his seat while Chuck and Shaq did a victory hug and dance. Barkley even channeled a schoolyard bully chanting, “loser, loser” over Kenny. As history goes on Inside the NBA, Kenny provided meme content on social media.

The Jet fails the test

Kenny earned the moniker “The Jet” in high school for his cat-like quickness which he carried over to his NBA career. He slowed down considerably towards his retirement and those reflexes were virtually non-existent since he turned into a studio analyst. But life hasn’t been easy in a cushy studio when Shaq and Chuck challenge him to races every halftime.

Kenny has had his wins too but not this week. He’s suffered a double loss to both his usual opponents. Chuck’s more childish at rubbing it in.

Shaq got a bit too excited too. After his jig with Chuck, he lost his balance and fell. A Shaq-valanche is nothing new on TNT but the big man needs to take it easy on Kenny sometimes.

The meme-worthy moment came when Kenny sat there fuming, possibly plotting the next race where he’ll steal the headstart.

A lot of people could relate the situation to their home life. Kenny was especially displaying middle-child behavior when the older and young siblings i.e., Chuck and Shaq, ganged up on him.

Others find it incredibly petty from Kenny as an NBA veteran who has also lost the Race to Board countless times to take this playoffs edition so poorly.

Those who got a chuckle from Kenny’s silent tantrum think it’s time to retire that nickname. Shaq even suggested it was more ‘crop duster’ than jet.

If not the nickname, fans suggested they should retire the Race to the Board. It will be easier on Kenny’s knees and pride.

But realistically, we don’t want the race, the nickname, Kenny and his silly bullies to go anywhere. This is the kind of entertainment we need to get over those playoff upsets.