Shaq Complains About TNT In Hilarious Behind-The-Scenes Video
The NBA on TNT features the best cast of characters of any show in the sports media space. I don't even like the NBA, but I still love watching clips of Shaq, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and crew. They're legitimately hilarious and highly entertaining.
As funny as they are on-air, they can be even more funny off of it. A clip went viral showing the cast chopping it up prior to going on-air this week. As TNT workers get the set ready and prep the guys for their broadcast, Shaq starts complaining about TNT not showing his jersey retirement.
Last week, the Orlando Magic retired Shaq's #32 jersey. He became the first player in franchise history to receive that honor.
Shaquille O'Neal poses for pictures during his jersey retirement for the Orlando Magic.
(Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
Unfortunately for him, TNT did not air the retirement ceremony. According to Ernie Johnson, the network had a doubleheader that night. Instead, NBA TV aired the ceremony. This didn't sit well with "The Diesel."
"Just know [TNT] can't ask me to do nothing for them," he said.
Ernie Johnson, confused, asks, "What do you mean?"
"He's mad they didn't show his ceremony on [TNT]," Barkley responds.
"I don't get mad, brother, all good," Shaq replies. He later says he's "not complaining," just telling people what he thinks.
The entire exchange is glorious:
Other networks are desperate to replicate what the NBA on TNT does with its pregame and post-game coverage, but they can't. Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley speak their minds, and they don't follow the crowd.
That's why they are successful.
ESPN, specifically, has tried so hard to produce a great NBA show, but they continue to employee hardcore left-wing "analysts" who turn off a vast majority of American viewers.
It's not that difficult, really. Just employ people who aren't afraid to say things that might offend people.
Shaq and Barkley don't care who they offend, they just give their true opinions.
Novel concept.