Shaquille O'Neal To Join TNT, Charles Barkley On Inside The NBA

by 7footer on Jul 12, 2011 12:29 AM MST

Only a few months since his last game in the NBA after officially announcing his retirement, Yahoo Sports writer Kelly Dwyer is reporting that Shaquille O'Neal has reached an agreement to join Turner Network Television (TNT) as the newest game analyst on Inside the NBA. The popular live pregame, halftime, and postgame show currently features the trio of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson long with occasional guest stars Chris Webber and Kevin McHale.

As an NBA player, Shaquille O`Neal will likely be remembered most for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers where he and Kobe Bryant helped win three championships together. However, he also spent time with the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics, as well as the Miami Heat where he also won a championship in 2006 with Dwyane Wade. Shaq's addition to TNT and Inside the NBA will almost certainly lead to even higher ratings for the show (which already garners impressive numbers), but it remains to be seen how the personalities of O'Neal and Barkley will mesh together.

Shaquille O`Neal and Charles Barkley have a long history together both on and off the court. Their first notable encounter took place in 1999 when Barkley's Rockets were hosting Shaq's Lakers. O'Neal blocked one of Barkley's shots and shoved him, and Barkley retaliated by throwing the ball at Shaq's head. O'Neal then swung (and missed) at Barkley before the two ended up briefly fighting on the ground. Shaq and Barkley have long since buried the hatchet and even played golf together for Shaq's former T.V. show Shaq Vs. However, with the two strong and dynamic personalities on the same set, one can't help but wonder if the fists will fly once more.

Source: Yahoo Sports

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How will the two former Suns play together on their new team?

I think it will definitely be fun to watch no matter what. Barkley is used to being the biggest personality on the show, but he may very well lose that title once Shaq comes to town. For the most part I think they’ll get along great, but you never know.

by 7footer on Jul 12, 2011 12:33 AM MST reply actions

Agreed that it'll be fun to watch.

There’s no real need to compete over who’s the alpha dog on the show. They’re both going to make fun of each other, Kenny, and Ernie. It will work out fine.

I’m certainly glad Shaq didn’t decide to join ESPN. It would’ve been his worst decision since Kazaam…

A football game is basically 22 men desperately needing rest being watched by 22,000 desperately needing exercise.

by NashMV3 on Jul 12, 2011 1:04 AM MST up reply actions

Hey

Don’t mess with the Kazaam…

by lixuec on Jul 12, 2011 2:58 AM MST up reply actions

shaq and chuck will be fine

it’s kenny that shaq doesn’t like

"Maybe I’m old school," Nash said, "but I signed a contract to play here and I want to honor it. I feel like I owe it to my teammates and the city and everybody to keep battling until they tell me it’s time to go." STEVE (God of Basketball) NASH

by 2NASHTY on Jul 12, 2011 11:52 AM MST up reply actions

True...

Yeah Kenny and Shaq have definitely taken jabs at each other over the years…But I was referring more to the potential personality conflicts between Shaq and Barkley once they work together. They both act like alpha dogs and are extremely opinionated, so it will be an interesting dynamic to say the least. I think they will all get along fine overall, but I do expect the occasional quibbles and all-out arguments from both of them that should lead to some pretty funny moments. I’m sure the network censors will utilize the seven-second delay and have their fingers on the dump box button at all times…lol

by 7footer on Jul 12, 2011 1:47 PM MST up reply actions

also true...

but I think shaq and barkley have a mutual respect for each other both as show boaters and great players, shaq doesn’t respect kenny as a great player and has told him as much on TNT.

by 2NASHTY on Jul 12, 2011 6:14 PM MST up reply actions

his addition couldn't be a bad thing

I like what the guys have going but Shaq definitely brings another good personality to the table. Looking forward to seeing how chuck makes fun of him.

Crashing the [message] boards from Rome, Italy. Go Suns!

by PHXgp on Jul 12, 2011 4:19 AM MST reply actions