Inside the NBA are in the beef streets. During the cut to commercials and returns to their in-studio segments, Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria” played in the background. The hosts noticed and offered a brief bit of commentary. You can see the moment below.
King Kendrick is running it up on the streams. His new diss track targeting Drake, “Euphoria,” set a new mark for the largest streaming day for a Hip-Hop song in 2024 on Spotify.
According to Chart Data, the single had 9.206 million streams on its opening day. Additional stats are below.
Kendrick Lamar’s “euphoria” reaches a new peak of #2 on the global Spotify chart with 9.206 million streams, up 369% in its first full day.
Kendrick Lamar’s single is registering with fans, but it appears to get the support of rappers, too. Hitting Instagram, 50 declared the diss “real hip hop.”
“This is real hip hop shit go check it out, I would have posted it but it’s too long,” 50 wrote.
Charles Barkley, a name synonymous with NBA greatness, has not only left an indelible mark on the basketball court but also in the realm of wealth accumulation. As of 2024, Celebrity Net Worth pegs Barkley’s net worth at an impressive $60 million. Let’s delve into the life and career of this iconic athlete to understand the factors contributing to his considerable fortune.
Charles Barkley #4, Power Forward for the United States men’s national basketball team prepares to shoot a free throw during the Group A game against Lithuania at the XXVI Summer Olympic Games on 24th July 1996 at the Forbes Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. USA won the game 104 – 82. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Allsport/Getty Images)
Born on February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama, Charles Barkley’s journey to basketball stardom had humble beginnings. Standing at just 6 feet 6 inches tall, Barkley didn’t fit the traditional mold of an NBA power forward, but his unmatched skill and tenacity soon made him stand out. After an impressive college career at Auburn University, Barkley entered the NBA in 1984, selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA Career Highlights
UNDATED: Charles Barkley #34 of the Philadelphia 76ers sits on the bench and watches the game. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
Barkley’s NBA career spanned over 16 seasons, during which he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. Renowned for his rebounding prowess, scoring ability, and fearless demeanor on the court, Barkley earned numerous accolades, including 11 NBA All-Star selections and the 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. He also represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, winning gold medals on both occasions.
Barkley’s impact extended beyond statistics and awards; his larger-than-life personality and candid commentary made him a beloved figure both on and off the court. Following his retirement in 2000, Barkley transitioned seamlessly into a successful broadcasting career, providing colorful analysis as a studio analyst for TNT’s Inside The NBA.
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 13: Former professional basketball player Charles Barkley speaks onstage at ‘How to Remain Relevant In Today’s Digital Age’ during the 2015 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gerry Hanan/Getty Images for SXSW)
While Barkley’s NBA salary earnings were substantial during his playing days, his post-basketball ventures have significantly bolstered his net worth. Beyond broadcasting, Barkley has ventured into various entrepreneurial pursuits, including endorsements, book deals, and investments. His outspoken nature and engaging personality have also made him a sought-after speaker and media personality, commanding lucrative appearance fees.
Moreover, Barkley’s astute financial management and frugal lifestyle have been key factors in preserving and growing his wealth. Despite his status as a sports icon, Barkley has famously lived well below his means, avoiding extravagant purchases and prioritizing smart investments. This prudent approach to finances has allowed Barkley to build a solid financial foundation for himself and his family, ensuring long-term security and prosperity.
In addition to his financial success, Barkley has remained committed to philanthropy, using his platform to support various charitable causes. From advocating for education and youth development to championing social justice initiatives, Barkley has leveraged his influence to make a positive impact beyond the basketball court.
Conclusion
Charles Barkley’s journey from a small-town kid with big dreams to an NBA legend and multimillionaire exemplifies the power of talent, determination, and smart financial management. With a net worth estimated at $60 million in 2024, Barkley’s story serves as inspiration for aspiring athletes and entrepreneurs alike. Beyond his on-court exploits, Barkley’s ability to leverage his fame and fortune for good causes underscores his enduring legacy as not just a basketball icon, but also a philanthropic force for positive change.
Behind-the-scenes footage from Inside The NBA has emerged, showing the hilarious antics the crew gets up to when they aren’t live. The footage, seemingly taken at the All-Star Game, primarily features Shaq and Charles Barkley roasting each other. Barkley goes after Shaq for being upset that his recent Magic jersey retirement wasn’t on “real TV” but was instead aired on NBA TV. “He thought TNT should have carried it,” Barkley chirped. Be sure to watch the full five-minute video below.
Of course, most people tune into Inside The NBA to see Barkley and Shaq sniping at each other like an old married couple. Back in October 2023, Barkley went after Shaq for not knowing who Slenderman was. The roasts came after Shaq was confused about Victor Wembanyama’s costume of the viral internet horror character.
Meanwhile, Shaq painted a sobering picture of his post-retirement life while interviewing Jason Kelce on The Big Podcast. “Enjoy your family, brother. I lost my family and I didn’t have anybody. You got the ring. [I] lost my whole family. I’m in a 100,000-square-foot house all by myself,” Shaq lamented. However, he might be trapped in a prison of his own making. In a previous episode of the podcast, Shaq advocated against men sharing their feelings with women. “Whenever something goes down, they throw it back in your face,” Shaq reasoned when asked why he doesn’t open up to his partners. Shaq is divorced and has since struggled to hold down a relationship. In the past, the Hall of Famer has admitted to “making mistakes” and being “greedy” in his first marriage.
Meanwhile, one relationship that is working out for Shaq is the more familial one he has with LSU star Angel Reese. Reese called him a “father figure” during a wide-ranging interview that she and other members of LSU did with USA Today. “There’s really strong parallels in their personalities. They love people. They welcome the spotlight that comes with stardom, they both have a great love for this school and an enthusiasm for life,” said Bob Starkey, an LSU assistant coach. During his long tenure in Baton Rouge, Starkey has coached both LSU legends.
Shaq and Charles Barkley had no time for Zion Williamson’s poor showing against the Lakers in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament. “Does not run hard — it’s not a diss, this is gonna be a lesson from one great big man to another guy that can be a great. Does not run hard. I had the same problem my first, second year — I thought I was running hard. Charles talks about this all the time, my talent’s gonna get me 20. When I start going to 20, 30, and 40, it’s because I started doing certain things,” Shaq said.
However, the Hall of Fame big man wasn’t finished “He doesn’t create easy points for himself. I saw a couple times when he had a couple times at the basket, he don’t seal, right? He doesn’t demand the ball … and he doesn’t have that look. Like, I’m not the greatest athlete ever, but I know a look when I see it. In every sport, I know a look. Tiger Woods had that look, Jack Nicklas had that look. He just doesn’t have that look. And he doesn’t rebound. He does not rebound,” he continued.
Furthermore, Williamson – who went 13/2/3 in the 44-point blowout loss – was the first to admit that he didn’t play his best game. “I got to be better. I got to be more aggressive, finding my shot. And I got to do more things to get my team going. I think I was too laid-back tonight, and I just can’t do that. And defensively I got to be better,” Williamson said.
On the other side of the ball, LeBron James had one of his biggest games of the year. LeBron looked ageless as he put up 30/5/8 to power the Lakers into the title game against Indiana. However, that’s now two games in a row that Williamson has struggled to break double digits. In the Pels’ quarterfinal win over Sacramento, Williamson was held to just 10 points. “I have a problem where I literally just try to hunt the best shot possible every time, but my teammates, they expect more from me. I expect more from myself. But I got to just trust my game. I just got to be more aggressive. I think if I’m more aggressive that energy will definitely carry over,” Williamson added.
Stephen A. Smith was just about the butt of every joke during his brief time on Inside the NBA last night. After Charles Barkley opened the show by threatening to give Smith an “a– whopping”, things only got more and more chaotic as the night went on. First, Smith “won” Shaqtin the Fool for the week. During the explanation of why, Shaq pointed to Smith’s terrible first pitch at a Yankees game earlier this year as the primary reason that Smith was being given the award.
However, things didn’t stop there. Before Smith left to rejoin the ESPN crew, he participated in the Inside the NBA staple, “Who He Play For?”. For those unfamiliar, the game is very simple – the guesser simply has to name the current team of five lesser-known NBA players. Smith failed spectacularly, going 1-for-5 and only guessing Otto Porter Jr correctly.
Of course, it’s been a busy week for Smith and viral content. Smith enlightened his audience with more sexual wisdom in a recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show. When asked the question “BBL versus natural”, Smith went off a nearly five-minute rant. After establishing that he likes women with “curves” and said he needs a woman who has “more A and T than me”, Smith went completely off the rails.
The crux of his rant was that men want a “strong 7” in terms of their partner’s appearance. “10s” are “too much maintenance”, Smith argued. “9s” are also out for Smith because “she got enough people telling her she’s a 10”. The rant continues to get more and more bizarre, with Smith arguing that “too much independence” in a woman is a bad thing because it can reach a level where you (the man) start to feel dependent on your partner. After a certain point, like with many of Smith’s rants, it feels like he ran out of things to say. As a result, his point ends up being something along the lines of “get yourself a woman who is just a little insecure about her own appearance because that’s the best way to keep her around.”
Shaq had a hilarious response to the sight of Draymond Green putting Rudy Gobert during a brawl less than two minutes into Warriors-Timberwolves. The Hall of Famer’s response came during Inside The NBA‘s half-time segment. After the team had discussed Clippers-Nuggets, they turned to Shaq. The self-described “best musician in the NBA” proceeded to remix the show’s theme song (Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out”) to reflect Green’s actions, instead playing “Mama Said Choke You Out”.
The NBA is still yet to announce a punishment for Green, who was ejected alongside teammate Klay Thompson and the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels. However, on Get Up, Jay Williams said he would not be surprised if the Green was suspended for at least ten games for his behavior. Following the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr defended his player. “As far as the Draymond piece of it, Rudy had his hands on Klay’s neck. That’s why Draymond went after Rudy.” Kerr told reporters.
Shaq Picks Hilarious Halloween Costume For Inside The NBA
Shaq, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson with a quick reaction to the Timberwolves-Warriors scuffle during Inside The NBA halftime show: pic.twitter.com/pN68EB2UGz
However, this is just Shaq’s latest piece of hilarity on the show. Last week, he was the far and away winner of the Halloween costume contest between the show’s four hosts. Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson both played it safe, going the pop culture route as Top Gun‘s Iceman and The Godfather‘s Vito Corleone respectively. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley threw it back to an iconic Kevin Durant insult leveled at him, coming into work as a bus driver. However, Shaq took the cake as he rolled up to set as “Emo Jimmy Butler”, a reference to one of the offseason’s more viral moments. Everything about the costume was perfect, from the painfully 2000s wig to the fake nose and lip rings.
Butler wasn’t playing on Halloween night, with the Heat having lost to the Bucks on the day before. However, it was definitely one of the standout costumes of the evening. Of course, Giannis had set the tone after that Bucks victory, showing up to his post-game press conference dressed as the Hulk. However, perhaps the closest contender to Shaq’s meme reference was Victor Wembanyama. The 7″4 Spurs rookie perfectly embodied Slenderman as he rolled up to the team’s game against the Suns. In fact, Wemby’s outfit was referenced on Inside The NBA, with Barkley roasting Shaq for not knowing who Slenderman was.
Shaq was without a doubt the winner of Inside The NBA‘s costume contest. Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson both played it safe, going the pop culture route as Top Gun‘s Iceman and The Godfather‘s Vito Corleone respectively. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley threw it back to an iconic Kevin Durant insult leveled at him, coming into work as a bus driver. However, Shaq took the cake as he rolled up to set as “Emo Jimmy Butler”, a reference to one of the offseason’s more viral moments. Everything about the costume was perfect, from the painfully 2000s wig to the fake nose and lip rings.
Butler wasn’t playing on Tuesday night, with the Heat having lost to the Bucks on Monday night. However, it was definitely one of the standout costumes of the evening. Of course, Giannis had set the tone after that Bucks victory, showing up to his post-game press conference dressed as the Hulk. However, perhaps the closest contender to Shaq’s meme reference was Victor Wembanyama. The 7″4 Spurs rookie perfectly embodied Slenderman as he rolled up to the team’s game against the Suns. In fact, Wemby’s outfit was referenced on Inside The NBA, with Barkley roasting Shaq for not knowing who Slenderman was.
However, Wemby’s costume wasn’t the only scary thing about Spurs-Suns. Phoenix, widely considered one of the major contenders in the West, found themselves left holding nothing but candy corn and an apple. Up as many as 20 in the third quarter, and up 10 with about 5 to go in the fourth, the Suns clearly thought they had the game in the bag. Despite this, the Spurs kept pushing and with 6.1 seconds left, Wembanyama slammed down a putback dunk to close the gap to one. The ball found itself in the hands of Kevin Durant, only for Keldon Johnson to execute a nasty steal and drive to the basket for the one-point win.
“I seen Tre had him in the corner, and I was just like, sh-t, let’s make a play. The worst that could happen was they call the foul and they shoot free throws. But we had to make something happen. Time was running down. So my mindset was just make a play on the ball and, after that, just try to finish it,” Johnson said of the game-winning moment. While the Suns lamented bad officiating on their failed foul pull, even Durant admitted that it was just one of those things. The win was huge for the Spurs, especially after the 40-point blowout they suffered over the weekend. They have another game against the Suns tomorrow.
Rick Ross had a very special gift for Shaq during a recent appearance on Inside The NBA. Ross gifted Shaq some new bling in the form of a sparkling new MMG chain and pendant. Shaq seemingly loved the gift, saying “I’m gonna kill it at the hookah bar in this,” in a truly classic Shaq response. Adding to the hilarity of the video is how small the larger-than-life Ross looks when standing next to Shaq.
The appearance on the show comes with a new collab between music and basketball legends. The pair just released their remix of Ross and Meek Mill’s “Shaq & Kobe”, which also features Damian Lillard. “The Very Biggest of them All @shaq, we been family, dat new #mmg piece just a small token for what you mean not only to myself but this entire Culture. Dat big brother WE never knew WE had,” Ross wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of him and Shaq.
Meanwhile, many took Ross’ team up with Shaq as yet another shot at DJ Envy. Ross has had it out for The Breakfast Club host for a while. However, Envy’s legal issues involving real estate fraud have only heightened Ross’ lines of attack. As reports came in that federal agents had raided the IHeartRadio studios, Ross couldn’t help but take some shots at Envy. “15 names on one piece of land, 14 n-ggas gonna take the stand,” Ross spat on Instagram. The bar is a direct reference to the charges that Envy has been connected with. Given the wide-ranging nature of the fraud, which centers on an undeveloped apartment complex, there is going to be no shortage of testimony at an eventual trial.
However, Ross isn’t the only person going in on Envy. Akademiks, never one to shy away from a sticky situation, questioned why anyone would trust Envy with financial matters. “How do you let DJ Envy affect your financial decisions? Half the time I’m listening to The Breakfast Club, these n-ggas even can’t read what’s on the f-ckin’ paper. No disrespect to none of those people up there. I really like them. But these n-ggas can barely read what’s on the f-ckin’ Rumor Report. You think I’m giving them a million dollars? F-ck no, man. You crazy as hell,” Ak said earlier this month.
Charles Barkley revealed in 2022 that there was once a plan to have Kobe Bryant join the cast of Inside The NBA following the end of his NBA career. Barkley went as far as to say that Bryant had signed a preliminary contract with TNT as his career wound down. However, the deal ultimately fell through due to stipulations in the contract. According to Barkley, Braynt had issues with the requirements of doing promotional appearances as well as presenting the show.
Of course, the conversation is moot as Bryant tragically passed away in January 2020. However, the question as to whether Bryant would have worked on Inside The NBA has persisted ever since Barkley brought it up. After a recent retelling of the story, which Barkley originally told to Draymond Green. Barkley opened up about how he actually felt about how Kobe would have done on the show that he leads.
Barkley’s insights into Kobe’s suitability on Inside The NBA came during an appearance on New Heights With Jason And Travis Kelce. “I don’t know if he was built to have fun,” he said. “He was a great person, I liked him, rest in peace. But like, he was a real serious guy. And the problem you have, if you’re gonna do our show, I don’t think people understand, we’re on from seven to two in the morning. Nobody wants to be damn serious from seven to two in the morning, ok?.” Inside The NBA is known for its wild shenanigans and incredibly laid-back tone. In recent weeks, Barkley has attempted a Boston accent and had plenty of wild takes.
While Kobe was excellent in the broadcast booth after retiring in 2016, it’s true that he is not remembered as a super jovial personality. Bryant loved the game of basketball too much to drop his facade, even for a show like Inside The NBA. Maybe it’s just a nice what-if to think about in this case. Follow all the latest sports here at HotNewHipHop.
There has been a wide variety of reactions to the latest incident involving Ja Morant. Morant was suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend after a new video of him flashing a gun on Instagram Live went viral. The superstar guard had previously served an eight-game suspension for the exact same thing earlier in the season.
A number of people, such as BlocBoy JB, have come out in support of Morant. Meanwhile, Vic Mensa didn’t explicitly support Morant, but said he hopes he overcomes this latest tribulation. However, a vast majority of people have spoken out against Morant. While there is a debate on how harshly he should be punished, the general consensus is that Morant was an idiot for what he did. Furthermore, repeating the exact same thing that previously got you suspended is only going to anger the League office. Now Charles Barkley has added his voice to the mix.
Barkley Calls Out Morant Supporters
Speaking on Inside the NBA, Barkley didn’t hold back when discussing Morant and his supporters. “We got some idiots, some fools, some jackasses on television that really just piss me off, talking about Ja should make a stand by saying he didn’t break any laws, he didn’t do anything wrong. Those guys are just freaking idiots,” Barkley said. “When you’re making $100 million a year to play sports, your life changes. There are certain rules and regulations that you have to live by. You can’t do stupid stuff. That’s the tradeoff.” Morant is set to make $33.5 million next season as part of a 5 year, $194 million contract extension. However, Morant recently missed out on a $39 million bonus after failing to be named to an All-NBA team this season.
According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the league is leaning towards a “lengthy” suspension for Morant. This likely stems from Commissioner Adam Silver, who partially staked his reputation on the idea that Morant was genuinely remorseful after the last suspension. However, we will have to wait and see what punishment the league hands down over the next few weeks. This is a developing story and you can find any updates here on HotNewHipHop.
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