After a four-month layoff due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the NBA was finally set to make its return on Thursday. To kick off the official NBA Bubble restart, TNT’s pregame show, Inside The NBA, had an earlier-than-usual broadcast ahead of Pelicans-Jazz.
The new-look Studio J was equipped with an oversized desk to accommodate social distancing between Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. But when the show hit the air, Shaq was noticeably absent.
Johnson told viewers that they were waiting on Shaq because he was stuck in traffic. And Barkley couldn’t believe that Shaq actually showed up to work late on today of all days.
Where is @SHAQ? 😂 pic.twitter.com/K0Y9sjEH01
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 30, 2020
About 10 minutes into the broadcast, Shaq did make his way on set. And Barkley, again, didn’t let Shaq hear the end of it.
Update: @SHAQ finally arrived to Studio J 😂 pic.twitter.com/J14rFVLzH8
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 30, 2020
Barkley said as Shaq walked in:
“Hey! Way to show up, big fella. Don’t try to sneak in here.”
And sure, it’s a bad look for Shaq to show up to work late. But let’s be fair — it’s a new broadcast slot, and Atlanta traffic is unpredictable. He’s working out that new commute schedule.
Plus, it was all worth it for Barkley’s reaction.
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