“Get the finals on TNT already!” : NBA fans share frustration over Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley’s absence for Nuggets-Heat Finals as coverage shifts to ABC…but here’s how you CAN still watch them
- Barkley, Smith and O’Neal will be part of a rotating analysis team for NBATV
- NBATV does not broadcast the Finals, but it will provide pre- and post-game coverage
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Miami Heat’s blowout Game 7 victory in the Eastern Conference Finals ended the Celtics in 2023 and, of course, America’s most beloved sports program.
Inside the NBA – featuring the adorable quartet of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson – will not be returning to the air for the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets-Heat game will air exclusively on ESPN on ABC — as it has since 2000 — but that doesn’t mean Chuck, Shaq and Kenny are going anywhere just yet.
The trio have previously appeared on NBATV Finals coverage – and will do so again for the 2023 Finals.
However, there is a small chance that Barkley forgot about his upcoming duties while on air for TNT on Monday night.
Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley will all be on NBATV for their Finals coverage
Though he thinks he’s headed for summer vacation, the Chuckster has some work to do on NBATV
“Thank goodness,” Sir Charles said in response to Johnson mentioning it was their last night on the air.
“I love summer vacation,” Barkley continued. “I love basketball, but I love summer vacation more. I’m not going to come up here and lie!
Barkley and Co. will not breach their contracts with Turner as NBATV is operated by TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
It will come as a relief to many NBA fans who had thought the trio would be on vacation, like Johnson is now.
“I think it happens every year, but the NBA team on TNT not getting to the Finals is a crime. I could watch Shaq, Ernie, Kenny and Chuck talking about anything,’ one user wrote.
Ernie Johnson will be the only member of Inside The NBA not to be on NBATV during the final of 23
‘Chuck, Shaq, Ernie and Kenny’s Last Night. Best TV show. Get the finals on TNT already,’ another tweeted.
Although NBATV won’t be showing the Finals, Smith, Barkley and O’Neal will be part of a rotating crew providing pre- and post-game analysis.
‘TNT deserves the NBA Finals just for Charles Barkley’s pregame. These guys know how to do it,’ another Inside The NBA fan wrote.
Looks like Christmas has come early for some Association fans.
