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via Imago

via Imago

As soon as Stephen A. Smith stepped into the TNT realm, he did not know peace. He concluded the collaborative broadcast with the most dubious honor on Inside the NBA, courtesy of Shaquille O’Neal. In more ways than one, it’s a prestigious accomplishment to make every ranking in O’Neal’s weekly list.

We know at least Charles Barkley was celebrating Smith’s achievement. He gleefully used that dark moment in history Smith apologized for as nifty trash-talk ammo.

Stephen A. Smith wins top TNT honor

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A week at Inside the NBA can’t conclude without everyone’s favorite segment, ‘Shaqtin a Fool‘. This week’s #1 pick by Shaquille O’Neal was none other than their guest analyst from the ESPN kingdom, Stephen A. Smith. He not only beat Draymond Green for the top spot but he was featured in every rank for his shooting skills that work on the court but not in the diamond.

The moment Smith wished he could erase from our memories Men in Black style happened in September at the Yankees Stadium. Smith threw the ceremonial first pitch that didn’t go very far. He roasted himself on his show and apologized to the Yankees for that display.

Draymond Green came second, followed by Jordan Poole and Andre Drummond. Interestingly, a Smith tidbit made its way into all three bottom rankings. The big plot twist was the snippet of Smith shooting better than Poole.

To his credit, the most unfiltered sportscaster at ESPN took it with good humor but not without threats. “All I’m gonna do is remind y’all this: I got a two-hour weekday show, five days a week. I’m gonna get y’all. I’m gonna get y’all for this. I don’t know how yet, but I’ma get y’all.

He made threats of getting back at them all night. Don’t hold your breath for it. Shaq and Chuck are experienced at dominating on the court and in pranks.

WATCH THIS STORY | Shaquille O’Neal Threatens Stephen A. Smith After New Studio Debut: “Im a Have to Call TEX JOHNSON”

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Pitcher Stephen A. Smith is the big winner

Stephen A. Smith’s real nemesis was not Shaq but TNT’s no-holds-barred loud counterpart, aka Charles Barkley. They had so much bantering going on that O’Neal decided they should settle it with their fists. He declared the official (fake) Chuck vs Stephen A. bout will be in the same T-Mobile Arena on May 18.

Both can swing, so Barkley and Smith took the smack-talk look. Barkley told him he’s no Ryan Express, as made obvious by his first pitch attempt. Smith fired back that his golf skills were just as bad and promised to get back at them.

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This will go down as the toughest day at work in Stephen A. Smith’s entire career. He survived it and personally called it fun. What did you think about this crossover?

READ MORE: “No, Not Him”: Shaquille O’Neal Rejects ‘Superman’ Moniker for One NBA Superstar in Favor of Another