Shaq Had To Walk Off Set After Charles Barkley Told Kenny Smith It’s ‘Not A Good Time’ To Reference Jay-Z

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TNT

The magic of Inside the NBA is that the crew is never afraid to go places that no other show would be willing to. The all-time example is Charles Barkley making jokes about the Jussie Smollett case and explaining to America that you should “not commit crimes with checks.”

On Tuesday night, we got another example from Chuck as Kenny Smith continued to push back on the rest of the guys wanting him to take on Stephen A. Smith in a free throw contest, insisting he’s “too good” for it. To make his point, he started a hypothetical about whether Jay-Z would battle rap a random guy on the street, but Chuck quickly stopped him by saying it’s probably “not a good time right now” to reference Jay-Z, as he was named in a lawsuit alongside Diddy accusing the two of raping a minor (which Jay-Z quickly denied and filed a motion to have it dismissed), which caused Shaq to walk off the desk to regain his composure, with Ernie close behind.

Kenny amended his example to Kendrick Lamar, while Chuck had the same grin on his face as he did when he was able to make his Jussie jokes, as no one is more proud of themselves when they get to tiptoe up to the line than Barkley. It’s rare Chuck gets to both be the jokester and voice of reason at the same time, but in this instance he was probably right that using Jay-Z as an example right now wasn’t the best timed reference, while also accomplishing his constant goal of getting Shaq to lose it.

Shaq And Kenny Got A Laugh Out Of TNT Playing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss ‘Euphoria’ At Halftime

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TNT

Wednesday night was a big one in the Mavs-Clippers series, as the two teams met in Los Angeles for a pivotal Game 5 (I’m legally obligated as a sportswriter to call it that) with the series tied 2-2. The first half was a back-and-forth battle until the Mavs went on a late second quarter run to pull ahead by 10 at the halftime break on TNT. Once the halftime buzzer sounded, it was time for Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson to break down that half of basketball in the studio.

However, before they could get to that, TNT’s production team decided to tap into the dominant story of the day in the world of pop culture, playing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss that he released earlier in the day, “Euphoria”, in the transition from the booth in L.A. to the studio in Atlanta. Only half of the desk realized what was being played in the background as Ernie did his lead-in, with Shaq and Kenny both chuckling about how they were suddenly in the middle of the rap beef.

The least surprising thing ever is that Shaq (literally a DJ) and Kenny (a man who still listens to new music) would recognize the Drake diss playing while Ernie (old, white) and Chuck (listens to country) would be oblivious. Shaq and Kenny got a kick out of it, with Jet joking that they were inserting themselves in the middle of the rap beef and they needed to play Drake’s “Push Ups” to stay neutral in the battle between the Los Angeles and Toronto artists.

Kenny Smith Net Worth 2024: What Is The Sports Commentator Worth?

Kenny Smith has etched out a multifaceted career spanning decades. As of 2024, according to Eric Singer, Smith’s net worth is estimated at $20 million. This figure reflects his successful tenure as an NBA player, his prominent role as a television analyst, and his ventures into coaching and entrepreneurship. Smith’s journey from the basketball court to the broadcasting studio and beyond illustrates a seamless transition from athletics to media. It further marks him as a distinguished figure in the sports industry.

From NBA Stardom To Broadcasting Excellence

Kenny Smith
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 05: TNT’s Inside the NBA team (L-R) NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal, also host. Ernie Johnson Jr., wearing an iGrow laser-based hair-growth helmet, and. NBA analysts Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley talk during a live telecast of. “NBA on TNT” at CES 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention. Center on January 5, 2017 also in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Kenny Smith’s journey into the limelight began with his notable career in the NBA, where he was celebrated for his skill as a point guard and his contributions to two Houston Rockets’ NBA Championship teams in the mid-1990s. His on-court success laid the foundation for his reputation, transitioning smoothly into a career in sports broadcasting following his retirement. As a mainstay on TNT’s Inside the NBA, Smith has garnered acclaim for his analytical insights, charismatic presence, and chemistry with his co-hosts. This transition from the court to the studio exemplifies Smith’s adaptability and understanding of the game from multiple perspectives.

Entrepreneurial Ventures & Personal Branding

Kenny Smith
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: (L-R) Kenny Smith and Fat Joe attend the Kenny Smith. All Star Bash at Metropolitan Nightclub on February 17, 2017 also in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Further, Kenny Smith has demonstrated a keen sense of business and personal branding. His ventures into basketball camps and involvement in various sports-related businesses showcase his ability to leverage his expertise. This facet of his career contributes to his net worth and reflects a broader trend of athletes and public figures diversifying their income streams and personal brands.

Kenny Smith’s influence extends beyond his professional achievements to his efforts in advocacy and philanthropy. His commitment to community development, educational initiatives, and social justice causes highlights a dedication to making a positive impact off the court. Through his platform, Smith has engaged in meaningful dialogue about important societal issues, using his visibility to advocate for change and support underprivileged communities.

Legacy & Influence In Sports & Beyond

Kenny Smith
Kenny Smith during Stuff Magazine Toys for Bigger Boys – Casio Gifting Area at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, New York, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by M. Von Holden/WireImage for Fingerprint Communications)

His achievements characterize the legacy of Kenny Smith as an athlete. It is also defined by his insight as a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and his activist. His journey reflects the potential for sports figures to transcend their athletic careers, contributing significantly to their fields while also making a difference in the broader social landscape. Smith’s net worth also speaks to his success across these various domains.

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Kenny Smith Makes Wild Claim About Bronny James’ NBA Chances

Bronny James will make his USC debut against Kansas State on November 6. USC has gone all-in on their best recruiting class in years. A price hike on tickets and a pre-season tour of Europe are both things being implemented ahead of their NCAA debut. With Collier and James on board, USC could see their first Final Four appearance since the 1950s. Alongside James, USC is also bringing in #1 recruit Isaiah Collier. The hype is very much real for the Trojans. Last year, USC went 22-11. That earned them a ten-seed in March Madness. However, they were eliminated in the first round by Michigan State.

Meanwhile, LeBron James, Bronny’s father, is about to enter his 21st NBA season. Despite contemplating retirement earlier in the offseasons, sources are confident that LeBron will return to the Lakers next season. LeBron has been very insistent that he doesn’t want to retire before he gets the chance to play alongside Bronny. However, former NBA star Kenny Smith has been something of a wet blanket in regards to Bronny making it to the NBA.

Kenny Smith Speaks To Bronny’s “Improbable” NBA Chances

Calling Bronny James’ NBA chances “improbable”, Smith expanded on his wild take. “75 years of basketball Big, there’s only been 5100 players that touch a floor!,” Smith said on BigBoyTV. He continued, “So to be waiting on your son to be one of those 5100, that doesn’t even make sense, like, he’s not waiting on his son. He’s wishing his son will make it”.

Smith’s take is valid, if a little pessimistic. James is currently ranked as the #19 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, according to ESPN. Furthermore, he is currently projected as a lottery pick in the 2024 Draft. That’s the problem with statistics – they ignore the player in front of them. Unless he absolutely sucks in college, at least one of the 30 teams in the NBA is going to take a chance on LeBron James’ son. Hell, even if he sucks, a team will likely take a chance on him. After all, drafting Bronny James might also land you his dad. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Shaq Hilariously Thrown Into Christmas Tree By Kenny Smith

Shaq is one of the best personalities on television right now. If you watch a lot of basketball, then you know that he is a fixture on Inside The NBA which is part of TNT’s NBA coverage. On the show, he sits with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.

Overall, these guys are considered to be the best broadcast crew in the entire game. They always have a lot of fun together, and that never seems to change. On any given night, you can expect them to engage in hijinks. Typically, Shaq does the pranking, however, sometimes he is the victim.

Shaquille O’Neal attends HBO Premiere For Four-Part Documentary “SHAQ” at Illuminarium on November 14, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

Shaq Takes A Tumble

Last night, Shaq and Kenny Smith engaged in their usual race to the big screen at the back of the set. This is always a fairly hilarious segment, although it was a lot less funny for Shaq yesterday. As you can see in the clip down below, Shaq was shoved into a massive Christmas tree by Smith.

Consequently, Shaq immediately fell over, and considering his size, you can be sure it was a loud fall. Subsequently, the entire TNT crew rushed to make sure Shaq was okay. That said, everyone was laughing about it. The sight of Shaq getting lost in the massive tree was pretty funny, and it made for a viral moment on Twitter.

These are the moments that make the Inside The NBA crew so fun to watch. You don’t typically get this kind of coverage on other NBA analysis shows. Overall, NBA on TNT is the best place to watch basketball, and as long as O’Neal, Chuck, and Smith are on that show together, it will continue to be amazing.

Let us know what you thought of the hilarious clip, in the comments below. As always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

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