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Charles Barkley, whether by intention or by accident, is easily one of TV’s most quotable personalities. He is honest to a fault with his comments and never minces words.
In tonight’s preview of the game between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, “Chuck” inadvertently blurted out:
“I’m gonna be honest, I don’t wanna be one of these a**holes on television. Oh, I mean jackasses. I’m sorry, I apologize. I mean jackasses. I apologize. That’s the first time I’ve ever cursed [on national TV].”
Ernie Johnson was quick to stop the Hall of Famer with:
“Hey! Hey! Hey”
Shaquille O’Neal’s laughter reverberated over everyone else. When he finally gathered himself, Shaq had this to say to Charles Barkley:
“Chuck, I’ll tell you what. I will pay your fine to the FCC.”
Charles Barkley wants to make sure that everyone understands that he is not the kind of TV personality who makes statements to catch attention. He might be taking a dig at another controversial sports analyst who was lambasted on social media for making insensitive comments a few days ago.
Barkley’s cursing wasn’t also the first time he cussed on national TV. He might have forgotten it but he did the same thing in 2015.
Roughly eight years ago, during the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend, the Inside the NBA crew was at Madison Square Garden for the festivities. Then Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who just made his first All-Star selection, was the topic of the discussion.
Here’s what Barkley had to say about Cousins’ growing influence and power over the Kings’ front office:
“If you are Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, somebody like that, yeah! You deserve that type of power; you have earned it. That’s just total bulls**t, man.”
The main difference now and back then was the circumstances of the cursing. It felt like tonight was inadvertent while the one back in 2015 was deliberate to prove his point.
Ernie Johnson calls Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley TNT’s biggest “assets”
![Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith comprise the award-winning Inside the NBA team. [photo: The Atlanta Journal]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/01/8afef-16729740011607-1920.jpg)
Ernie Johnson’s timing and double entendre are just perfect for the show. He is the best complement to the loud and often brash personalities of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
On several occasions in the past, he’s been their moderator, referee and accomplice in a variety of ways. Knowing what he has with the three former basketball players, Johnson complimented his co-hosts while touching on Barkley’s “a**holes” comments earlier.
“If you’re just joining us, by the way, Ernie Johnson [is] here back with these three huge “ass-ets” to the show, Shaq and Kenny and Chuck.”
Shaq’s reply was just as perfect:
“How asinine of you.”
The NBA on TNT, featuring Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, currently owns 17 Sports Emmy Awards. It’s a feat that’s tough to match, let alone surpass.
At the core of what makes them tick is incredible basketball analysis, honest takes and often Barkley’s hilarious and sometimes controversial remarks.
Guess the Lakers players!
