The popular “Inside the NBA” show will have a new home for the upcoming season when it joins ESPN. But one of the show’s analysts, Charles Barkley, remains frustrated while waiting for details about how the show will fit into the network’s programming.
Barkley appeared on an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” released Tuesday. During the interview, Barkley was asked for details regarding “Inside the NBA” and how it would be incorporated into ESPN’s lineup, especially after games. Simmons’ question gave Barkley an opportunity to sound off against the entire process of waiting.
“We don’t know,” Barkley said. “This has been one of the worst ... TNT just sucks, to be honest with you. They made this deal. They haven’t told us when we’re going to work because we’ve been talking behind the scenes about if we have to, after the game, are we going to get any time? Are they going to say, ‘Hey, you guys have to go to SportsCenter?’”
The show’s move to ESPN comes after the NBA announced a new broadcasting deal that included NBC and Amazon gaining rights to televise games. TNT was unable to match what the other networks offered, forcing the beloved program to its new home, though the show will still be produced by TNT Sports.
The four-person panel of Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith has become must-watch television, particularly for postgame conversations and playoff antics like Barkley’s “guarantees” and the “Gone Fishing” segments after team eliminations.
That chemistry is what concerns the outspoken analyst most. He doesn’t know how many minutes the show will have at ESPN, raising questions about whether the panel will maintain the freewheeling discussions that made them popular.
“I’ve asked that question, because you’re right, that’s the best part of our show,” Barkley told Simmons. “After the game, we can have conversations and have fun. Are they going to say, ‘You guys have 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 15, 20, 30, 45?’ Are we going to go straight to SportsCenter? They haven’t given us an answer whatsoever. And TNT, I think they sold the show and they haven’t been communicative at all. ...They got paid.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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