NBA's Kenny Smith Employs Boxing Allegory to Describe Charles Barkley and His fellow Commentators, Strikingly Appropriate
Inside the NBA, the popular late-night basketball show, is set to make a significant move to ESPN, and one of its long-standing hosts, Kenny Smith, believes the programme will "translate" well to its new home. Smith, who has been a member of the Inside the NBA family for over two decades, has expressed his confidence in the show's ability to maintain its entertaining style and amusing atmosphere.
Smith, known for his insightful commentary, has compared himself and his co-hosts to boxing veterans. He likens Shaquille O'Neal to George Foreman, a heavyweight boxer who can deliver a serious blow, symbolising Shaq's unpredictable and sometimes clumsy nature. Charles Barkley, on the other hand, is compared to Mike Tyson, known for his powerful knockout punches, reflecting Barkley's tendency to be direct and impactful with his opinions. Smith sees himself as a scrappy boxer, such as Floyd Mayweather or Sugar Ray Leonard, providing steady, informative commentary that can be impactful.
The current lineup of Inside the NBA hosts has been intact for 14 years, and the crew shares a special bond, as evidenced by their coordinating holiday shirts and photoshoots. Despite the impending move to ESPN, insiders claim that the show will not change its format and style.
Charles Barkley has expressed concerns about the future of Inside the NBA but, like a boxer who delivers verbal haymakers, he is known for his outspoken opinions. Shaq and Barkley's antics often go viral, adding to the show's entertaining appeal. Ernie Johnson, compared to a "rogue traffic cop" who tries to clean up any on-set issues, ensures that the lively discussions remain civil and fun.
Kenny Smith can wear someone down with information on Inside the NBA, and he has shown discomfort about potential format changes. However, he predicts that the show will continue to be entertaining in its new format on ESPN. Smith's prediction is based on the crew's strong bond and their ability to adapt to new situations, much like seasoned boxers in the ring.
In a later conversation, Smith gave an answer to the question about who tends to bleed the most. He revealed that it's not uncommon for the Inside the NBA crew to have a few scrapes and bruises from their playful banter. Despite this, the show's amusing and entertaining style remains a constant, with Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson continuing to deliver engaging commentary and entertaining antics.
The daily blend of insightful commentary, entertaining antics, and sports analysis will continue to feature prominently on Inside the NBA as it transitions to ESPN. Kenny Smith believes the show's daily blend, consisting of the crew's strong bond and ability to adapt to new situations, will translate well to its new home.
