Charles Barkley is a national treasure, beloved on the court as well as off it.
After a Hall of Fame career that included a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics as part of Team USA’s iconic ‘Dream Team’, eleven All-Star appearances and the 1993 MVP, Sir Charles transitioned into the world of sports media.
Barkley is currently an analyst on beloved TNT studio Inside the NBA, alongside host Ernie Johnson, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and two-time champion Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith.
However, the Emmy Award-winning studio show is about to embark on a new journey.
Inside the NBA is ending its 30-plus-year run on the TNT network and will be moving to ESPN next fall.
ESPN essentially struck a deal with TNT to license the show so that it would still continue on the air.
Except it will be broadcast on ESPN, rather than TNT, which lost its NBA rights in the league’s $76billion, 11-year broadcast deal announced in July 2024..
On Thursday, and emotional Johnson presented a special edition of the show celebrating its legacy, taking a trip down memory lane with various segments.
They also teased an explosive documentary that threatens to lift the lid on Inside the NBA’s final season.
One video they didn’t revisit was Barkley’s debut on the show.
The date was October 30, 2000, and a recently retired Barkley joined Johnson, Smith, and sports columnist Peter Vescey to discuss the latest goings on in the basketball world.
Almost immediately after introducing Chuck, the TNT crew flashed what Vecsey had written about the former 76ers, Suns and Rockets forward.
“How screwed up is this world?” Vecsey wrote. “Just ask Charles Barkley, looking very much these days like Richard Jewel’s body double”
Chuck instantly fired back with a hilariously cutting remark that became his trademark.
“You know Peter, I told him, ‘I’m gaining weight. I can lose weight and he is always going to be ugly’.
“There is a difference between being fat and ugly. A fat person can lose weight an ugly person is always going to be ugly. Don’t forget that”.
Smith then interjected and joked that the reason Barkley and Vecsey were seated apart was to prevent a fight.
Barkley fired off again.
“I’m not going to jump on him on TV cause I have a witness. If I’m going to beat him up, it will be in a dark alley one night.”
The TNT crew then cut to Celtics legend Danny Ainge who made a joke about Barkley looking like he was hiding luggage under his suit.
Chuck responded by mocking Ainge’s haircut saying he’d had the same style for 16 years.
The banter and live back-and-forth was exactly the kind of thing that made the show a smash hit and fans were loving the resurfaced clip.
“Starts roasting everyone from the get go. Itâ€
s perfect,” said one fan.
“Back when you could just joke around and have fun without everyone getting offended,” added another.
“He is a classic with insane wit and humor,” a third posted.
Barkley has won four Sports Emmy Awards for ‘Outstanding Studio Analyst’ for his work on TNT.
Inside the NBA has won nineteen Sports Emmy Awards since it debuted in 1989 and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in October 2016.
Countless stars have featured on the show over the years including Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber and Dwyane Wade.
It’s known for its many recurring segments including ‘Shaqtin’ a Fool’, ‘EJ’s Neat-O Stat of the Night’ and ‘Who He Play For?’.
