Tag: Kenny The Jet Smith

How the Inside the NBA crew gave a life-changing gift to a 13-year-old sports fan in 2000

This is such a beautiful story.

Inside the NBA on TNT is one of the most beloved programs on television, especially with longtime host Ernie Johnson leading the panel.

Johnson, who has worked for the network for more than three decades, is considered unlikely to leave Turner Sports any time soon.

But considering that TNT may lose broadcasting rights for the NBA and Barkley could become the most coveted sports media free agent, the future of the program remains uncertain.

RELATED: Ernie Johnson on life behind the scenes as the host of Inside the NBA

With such uncertainty, fans of the show like author Ben Kaplan are paying tribute to Inside the NBA while it still exists.

Kaplan tweeted a thread about a Bar Mitzvah gift that he received from his father.

Back in 2000, Kaplan’s father called the folks at TNT to ask if they would record something for the occasion. Johnson was interested and sent back a VHS tape.

Johnson was joined by Kenny “The Jet” Smith, who is still a co-host of the show more than 20 years later.

They parodied an episode of Inside the NBA to report that Kaplan would skip high school and go straight to the pros.

While the two did not yet have Charles Barkley (who joined the show later that year) and Shaquille O’Neal (joined in 2011, this particular panel included former NBA head coach George Karl and veteran reporter Pete Vescey.

Karl and Vescey do not exactly have the same star power as Barkley and O’Neal. Kaplan, however, found Vescey’s message to him particularly funny.

Vescey joked that Kaplan needs an attitude adjustment, called him a selfish ball hog, and should require random drug testing.

While the part of the story involving Vescey is very silly, there is also an incredibly heartwarming aspect as well. Kaplan shared that in 2022, his dad was fighting a rare cancer diagnosis and Johnson stepped up yet again.

Johnson recorded a special message for Kaplan’s father’s 72nd birthday, and he called it the best gift he ever received. The two began texting, especially while Kaplan’s father received treatments.

Kaplan’s father died in 2022 and as these stories resurfaced, Johnson tweeted his thoughts:

Ben, my friend. You think you do, but you have no idea what this series of events meant to me. My only explanation for the opportunity and the timing is, as @petermayermusic writes in his song “Loose in the World” is that this was all “the hand of the Divine.” Blessings on you and your family.

This is such a beautiful story the encapsulates what Inside the NBA means to so many people around the world.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 tag=757945]

Inside The NBA hosts trolled Charles Barkley’s plan to give up Diet Coke by raiding his stash

How long can Charles Barkley stick to his New Year’s Resolution?

Charles Barkley had a simple answer when he was asked about his New Year’s Resolution. He said that he planned to give up Diet Coke.

Barkley has a long history of drinking the beverage, including before NBA games during his professional playing career. The former MVP has said he would have two McDonald’s fish fillet sandwiches, a large order of fries and a Diet Coke as a pre-game meal.

Now when hosting Inside The NBA on TNT, Barkley will occasionally drink Diet Coke out of a mug while on the air. So to help him reach his resolution, Barkley received a hand from his co-workers.

The hosts of Inside the NBA had enough of Barkley, who complained that water (his Diet Coke substitute) doesn’t taste like anything.

Shaquille O’Neal made his way over to Barkley’s side of the desk and raided his Diet Coke supply. He found Barkley’s stash and began opening them up, drinking them and handing them to Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.

Barkley wanted to know if his co-hosts at least felt his pain as they sipped on the soda and he then told the viewers to his their enemies close to them.

We will see how long Barkley can stick to this resolution of no Diet Coke!

[lawrence-related id=2185769,2177690,2176331,2172788]

Steph Curry reacts to Kenny Smith saying he can’t shoot as deep as Damian Lillard

Steph Curry chimed in on Twitter after NBA on TNT analyst Kenny Smith questioned if the Warriors point guard can shoot it as deep as Damian Lillard.

While Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are at home, Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers matched up with the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round of the Western Conference Playoffs.

On the Blazers’ way to an upset victory in game one, Lillard continued his scorching stretch in the Orlando Bubble with 34 points on 9-of-21 shooting from the field. The Oakland native splashed six 3-pointers with a few coming from way beyond the arc. Against the LeBron James and the Lakers, Lillard added five rebounds, five assists and a block.

In the postgame show, NBA on TNT analyst Kenny Smith brought up Golden State’s two-time Most Valuable Player. While highlights rolled of Lillard’s long-distance shooting, Smith questioned if Curry has as deep of range as Portland’s point guard.

I don’t think you can shoot as deep as him, Steph. I’ve got to see it when you get back.

After Smith’s comments, Curry weighed in on social media. The six-time All-Star said Smith was “trippin.”

Via @StephenCurry30 on Twitter:

Following Curry’s reaction, “The Jet” chimed in with a tweet of his own.

[lawrence-related id=30532,21248,30552,30489]

[vertical-gallery id=30574]