Q&A: Ernie Johnson on life behind the scenes as the host of Inside the NBA

Ernie Johnson: ‘Improvising and letting it rip is exactly how we like to do the show.’

Ernie Johnson Jr. has one of the most recognizable voices on television.

He regularly contributes to NBA TV, Major League Baseball on TBS, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on CBS and Turner, and he was also the longtime lead play-by-play announcer for TNT’s golf coverage.

But he is most celebrated for his work on TNT’s Inside the NBA, which he has hosted for more than 30 years. Johnson is joined on Inside the NBA by analysts Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

During his professional career, Johnson has won multiple Sports Emmy Awards for Best Studio Host. He was also named the National Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2021.

Johnson recently showcased everything that makes him such a talented broadcaster when he facilitated a fantastic discussion with O’Neal, Barkley and Smith on Giannis Antetokoumpo’s comments about how to define failure in sports:

For The Win had a chance to catch up with Johnson, who provided some insight about his experiences hosting Inside The NBA.

“It’s a great time of the year. I love sitting down and getting ready for these games,” Johnson said. “That’s where I’m at right now: Basically staying here until 3 a.m., going home and coming right back and doing it the next day. You’re catching me right in the middle of another day of getting ready.”

Johnson, indeed, keeps an incredibly busy schedule, and the Inside the NBA crew holds an impactful place in the sports media landscape. During the broadcast of Inside the NBA on Tuesday, Johnson and his team announced that Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid had won the 2022-23 MVP.

It was just another day at work for Johnson and his colleagues, who regularly create some of the most hilarious and thoughtful coverage that you will find. But when it is all said and done, he is grateful for the opportunity.

“Every night of the playoffs brews the stuff that has your jaw on the floor,” Johnson added. “We’re four guys sitting around getting paid to watch hoops, alright? Life is good.”

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.