"If you try to be funny on TV again, I'm gonna put these paws on you" - Shaquille O'Neal warns Kenny Smith after getting taunted for coming late to set, fans joke about Shaq having "the thinnest skin of all time"

Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson were up early in the "NBA on TNT studio" to cover three playoff games. Shaq, who was noticeably absent when the show started, didn’t expect to get needled by “The Jet” out of nowhere.

The legendary LA Lakers big man passionately explained his point about Phil Jackson when Smith repeatedly cut him off. Shaq finally had it when the former Houston Rockets point guard told him with a straight face that he shouldn’t be late for work.

Here’s what the usually jovial big man had to say about his co-host’s attempt to needle him:

“If you try to be funny on TV again, I’m gonna put these paws on you.”

Barkley, whose attention was riveted to the whole exchange, suddenly went for a high-five with Smith while blurting:

“Nice! Well-played Kenny.”

By then, O'Neal looked upset and ready to go for Smith’s throat. To diffuse the tense situation, the two-time champion had a quick-witted reply:

“Hey, listen, I’m Pat Riley up here, you ain’t hitting Pat Riley. You ain’t hitting me.”

O'Neal was likely already frustrated as he earlier shared a video of the traffic that stalled him. Like most who travel for work, traffic jams can be extremely annoying. It didn’t help that Shaq had co-workers who quickly pounced on his annoyance.

What’s funny about Smith haranguing Shaq for being late was that a few years back, Smith had the same reason for being late. Smith’s reason for the traffic was supposedly because a zebra was on the loose, which no one in the studio believed.

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Fans pile on Shaquille O'Neal for not taking the joke well

The award-winning "NBA on TNT" hosts. [Photo: The Spun]

Shaquille O'Neal's frustration was clearly boiling over after the heavy traffic getting o the studio, but he could have also taken the joke well. Shaq has been known to be quite nasty with his ribbing as well, so it's par for the course.

With the action between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics heating up, the "NBA on TNT" set is also getting a little warmer. Several fans who were watching the banter turn into something tense are letting the former three-time Finals MVP hear about it.

The night is still early, and there's a chance Shaq will only bide his time before he takes a crack at Kenny Smith. The "NBA on TNT" coverage just got more exciting.