Viewers of Thursday night’s NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, covered on TNT, witnessed the usual race to the board between Kenny Smith and his co-stars, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. Thanks to Shaq, they also enjoyed some extra commentary.
The excitement began with the regular Inside the NBA crew—Ernie Johnson, Smith, Barkley, and O’Neal—at the desk. Smith attempted to initiate the race early, proclaiming, “People want to see me — race someone to the board,” before he dropped his microphone and dashed off. However, his co-stars did not follow suit. Realizing it had turned into a one-man race, Smith returned to the desk, allowing Shaq and Barkley to finally start their own sprint. Barkley stopped just short of the board, while Shaq casually walked up to touch it and claim victory. This moment was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the NBA on TNT’s page.
Kenny, Shaq & Chuck race to the board, #NBAAllStar Weekend-style 🤣 pic.twitter.com/jQmKDSfjl2
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 14, 2025
However, the fun didn’t stop there. Once back at the desk, Shaq seized the microphone and quoted former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, saying, “In the words of Marshawn Lynch, ‘I’m tired as shit, America.’ We getting fired anyway, Ernie. Fuck it.”
“In the words of Marshawn Lynch, ‘I’m tired as shit, America.’ We getting fired anyway, Ernie. Fuck it.”
Shaq, after a race to the board. pic.twitter.com/edrV0gmEXk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 14, 2025
This isn’t the first time that expletives have slipped into the Inside the NBA broadcasts, and we certainly doubt it will be the last.
