The commander of Inside the NBA is one of the most beloved personalities on sports television. Ernie Johnson has been running the show since 1989; that’s almost 34 years of excellence. So, it’s a no-brainer that Johnson has to be amazing to keep the momentum going for so long.

Johnson is about to be inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, class of 2023. Recently his good friend Charles Barkley honored him while claiming that “Everybody likes Ernie Johnson.”

Charles Barkley honors his “godfather”

Sir Charles joined the show after he retired from the league in 2000. Since then, he has nurtured a relationship worth admiring with the 67-year-old. Barkley often says that Johnson is his “godfather.” He recently shot a video for Johnson amidst the Hall of Fame countdown, saying that he has never seen anyone else receive the kind of widespread affection as Johnson. Johnson is one of the most respected individuals on sports TV. He has been at the helm since 1989 and is still going strong.

This broadcasting honor will be another feather to his cap, something that he’ll probably cherish. The ceremony is set to take place December 12, 2023 and Barkley’s tribute is just in time.

Apart from Barkley, the other two panelists are equally fond of the TV veteran. Similar to Sir Charles, Shaquille O’Neal also addresses the 67-year-old as his godfather. One can find hundreds of clips on YouTube of Shaq and Barkley butting heads and Ernie Johnson being the only calm-headed individual, always ensuring that nothing gets beyond control.

Although Shaq joined the show in 2011 as the last member on the panel, he has known Johnson since 1989.

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Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson’s relationship goes way back

In 1989, when Shaq was starting his college career, he was interviewed by Johnson. The Big Man recalled the interview decades later and admitted that he watched the Inside the NBA show as an athlete only because of Johnson. Shaq is very fond of the 67-year-old and can’t tolerate disrespect for him, even if it is coming from his good friend Chuck.

In 2021, when Barkley interrupted Johnson while he was asking a question, Shaq threatened Sir Charles, warning him not to speak while the “godfather” was trying to get his point across. It’s no secret that the TNT crew is a tight-knit family, and the number of years they’ve been together and the success they’ve had is a testament to that.

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