Image via Complex Original
For over a decade now, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith have been reminding us that NBA basketball can be funny. One of the edgiest and most inappropriate talk-shows out there, Inside the NBA always dares to "go there" and take jokes a step too far—all for the bemusement of the audience. There isn't another sports show out there that has the kind of chemistry that Johnson, Barkley, Smith, and now Shaquille O'Neal have on set.
A quick story reflecting the core of this show: In my Sports Media class, one of the special guests was Nate Smeltz, an executive at Turner Sports who helps produce Inside. He explained that when he worked at ESPN, all of their talk-shows were very regimented in format. The segments were rehearsed, and every talking head knew exactly when to jump-in on the conversation.
Upon moving to Turner Sports and producing Inside, Smeltz noticed that only Ernie would show up to the pre-show production meetings. The rest of the gang wouldn't show (they usually lolly-gag and arrive at the studio an hour before air-time), and frankly, the show's producers liked it that way. By not rehearsing anything, it allowed for the dynamic personalities of Chuck, Shaq, and The Jet to be spontaneous, natural, and damned funny.
That being said, these are without a doubt (okay, you might have your own personal favorites that didn't make the list) The 25 Most Hilarious Inside the NBA Moments.
25. Charles Barkley Tries to Go David Blaine
Date: 5/8/2006
Just eight minutes and 40 seconds to go, Chuck!
24. Not Even Close
Date: 2/6/2014
"Jonas Valsuinawasauce." Does that look right to you?
23. Charles Describes a Quick Way to Get Diabetes
Date: 10/29/2010
A dozen doughnuts may be the most Charles Barkley has eaten in one day, but his 6'6", 10,000 pound frame could probably fit another dozen, at least.
22. The Crew Shows Paul Pierce No Mercy
Date: N/A
Paul Pierce is still the worst for this.
21. Kenny Smith's Yeast Infection
Date: 3/19/2009
Ernie tries to come to Kenny's defense like the noble man he is, but Charles wasn't having any of it. His explanation for the yeast infection comment touches at the core of what makes Inside the NBA so great—aside from Ernie, none of the guys take anything too seriously. They get paid to sit around and watch basketball all-night, and by looking at their jobs in a casual way, it allows them to be themselves, and above all, hilarious.
19. This is What Happens When Shaq Posts You up
Date: 1/22/2013
The "Black Kyle Korver" was no match for Kevin the set guy.
19. Charles Barkley is Blacker and Whiter Than Snoop Dogg
Date: 1/17/2010
There you have it: Charles Barkley is 75 percent black, 14 percent Native American, and 11 percent white. Never could've guessed that.
18. Professor Barkley Gets Exposed
Date: 4/27/2011
Seeing Charles Barkley dressed like a geometry teacher is something that we can't unsee.
17. Shoe Fight!
Date: 12/18/2009
C-Webb's gotta work on his aim.
16. The Spelling Bee Goes Exactly How You'd Think It'd Go
Date: 6/1/2012
I actually played along with the guys the first time I watched this, and Shaq and Chuck beat me. Complex Sports sure hires some knowledgeable writers! As Shaq said, "It's time to put these degrees to work!" Hah, okay.
15. "Tree!"
Date: 4/21/2010
Kids, just because Kenny did this to Chuck, don't go around pulling this "brain teaser" on people. You never want to "tree!" the wrong guy. Not everyone possesses the infant-like humorous sensibilities of Sir Charles Barkley.
14. Charles Barkley Hits the Hay
Date: 3/13/2014
"Once Scandal was done, I was done for the night."-Charles Barkley, in defense of nodding off on set. The jokes seem to write themselves.
13. The Guys Discuss Beefs and Battles
Date: 5/28/2013
Shaq runs these five minutes of comedy gold. Throughout the whole segment, he won't let Kendrick Perkins live—not in the wake of their May 2013 Twitter beef. Stay for the whole video for Shaq's "pause" on Kenny. You won't regret it.
12. Shaq Sumo Wrestles Chuck
Date: 4/25/2014
We'll have to give Shaq the decision here. He's just too big, even for Charles Barkley.
11. Champagne Showers For Chuck
Date: 4/30/2012
"Champagne burns, baby!"
10. Charles Barkley Sees a Ghost
Date: 4/30/2009
New Inside segment idea: Film Charles Barkley watching all of the Paranormal Activity movies, rinse and repeat.
9. Kenny Smith Leaves Charles Barkley With Sour Lips
Date: 4/28/2013
Outstanding "gotcha" research from the TNT Crew. After Charles claims that he "never got beat by 31 points in a playoff game" the Inside producers found clips of Barkley's Suns losing to Kenny Smith's Rockets 118-85 in a playoff game. Barkley went 0-10 from the field that night, to which Chuck responded with, "what happened the next game?"
Well Chuck, the Suns won it, but the Rockets ended up winning the series in seven en route to an NBA title.
8. Ernie Mocks LeBron's Hairline "Decision"
Date: 2/10/2012
Ernie Johnson got LeBron so good that Kenny Smith had to walk off the set to take a moment. It's not often E.J. is put on the spot to tell his own jokes and go in on people—he usually piggybacks off the rest of the gang, playing the perfect complimentary nerdy white guy. Get 'em Ernie!
7. "You Kissed Dick in the Mouth"
Date: 4/24/2014
Shaq at his clowning best. In a segment about talking to refs and "kissing up" to them, Shaq went there. The "Dick" in question is of course long-time NBA referee Dick Bavetta. A little middle school humor can go a long way.
6. Chuck Needs a Spa Day
Date: 1/24/2013
Pure foolishness from Shaq, Kenny, and C-Webb. Pure! Also, this is the most terrifying photoshop job in the history of Inside.
5. Confirmed: Ernie Johnson Is White
Date: 10/28/2009
Kenny Smith's, "How's your credit Ernie?" line won the night.
4. KAZAAM
Date: 6/4/2013
Chuck kills Shaq here with the Kazaam one-liner, leaving Shaq mumbling and stumbling for a comeback. Considering Kazaam got a 6 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it was probably best for Shaq to concede defeat and let Barkley take this round.
3. The Team Retires Kenny's Number
Date: 3/30/2006
With Reggie getting his jersey retired, the team figured they'd honor Kenny because he's neither in the Hall nor does he have his pro jersey retired. They could've at least used his jersey instead of a McGrady one. And the clotheline is just so disrespectfull.
We hope these guys never leave the desk.
2. Check If There's a Crack in the Floor
Date: 11/21/2013
If you've ever tried to play basketball in a gymnasium while wearing Sperry's, you can empathize with the poor Big Diesel here. Or if you're just a big dude who's ever taken a tumble.
1. Imagine the Crew as White Guys
Date: 11/19/2009
"I like you Sammy, but you're not going to get in the Hall of Fame by being white!" The producers went ahead and turned Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley into white people, which is easily the most remarkable description of an NBA show segment ever.