After Inside the NBA’s fate was in jeopardy, it has been confirmed that the beloved Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson will be transferring over to ESPN and Shaq says it will be the same show we all know and love.
The Lakers great explained that he, nor Barkley will always be the same outspoken and hilarious guys they have always been. He also explained how being on ESPN may be similar to The Pat McAfee Show.
“I don’t have any concerns because I know one guy that you’re never going to change, and I know another guy that’s really close to him,” Shaq said on The Rich Eisen Show. The other two guys — listen, Ernie is a consummate professional and he can adapt to any situation. Ernie is the guy that really keeps us out of trouble and Kenny is professional, but Chuck is right there on the line and I’m right below Chuck. Chuck’s not changing, I’m not changing.
“I actually saw something yesterday where it said ESPN is going to give us the same no-look that they give Pat McAfee. So, listen, we’re just going to go have fun, do what we do and talk about the game that we love and just try to make people laugh.”
Barkley has also made perfectly clear he has no plans to change to fit in better at ESPN given how much he has blasted some of his future co-workers in recent months.
Back in March, he referred to ESPN’s talent as “fools at the other network” and “idiots.” The irony being he then proceeded to explain he and his co-star would also become idiots on the other network.
Then in May, when the Lakers were on the brink of elimination, Barkley said, “ESPN just swings on them like everything tastes like chicken, but the Lakers are not a good team. They’re going to lose either this round or next round, but more likely this round. They’re not very good.”
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