The Big Analytical

Finally, ESPN lost one. The network that seems to be collecting every valuable talking head that’s out there couldn’t close the deal on the biggest one of all. Literally, the biggest. After much speculation and hearsay, Turner Broadcasting officially announced yesterday that Shaquille O’Neal would be joining Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley on the set of TV’s best pregame show. Now although the thought of the big guy going back and forth with Barkley is fantastic in theory, I have a few thoughts and questions about his decision. 

This is a YUGE pull for Turner. Throughout his career, Shaq has always been a media sensation. He is never afraid to speak his mind and best of all he’s naturally hysterical. Unlike so many pro athletes who THINK they’re funny, Shaq’s sense of humor is second to none. So naturally this seems like a great fit for Inside the NBA which is a much more boisterous and entertaining  show then anything on the World Wide Leader will ever be. What I worry about though is how Shaq and Charles will do sharing the same desk. Inside works so well because the producers have put the best possible three people together. You have Barkley, the class clown with zero filter. Kenny, who plays Barkley’s foil and actually provides insight into the game. And Ernie, the consummate professional who continues to play the best straight man on TV this side of Jason Bateman’s Michael Bluth.

Throwing the Diesel into the mix could go one of two ways. It’s either going to be a colossal success, and all will be right with the world, or his bravado will hinder the fantastic chemistry that the show has had for so many years.  I fear for the later and pray for the prior. Nothing would please me more than to see this work out. Shaq was built for two things: being a fucking basketball specimen and catering to a crowd with his words of wisdom. I can’t help but wonder though what his run would’ve been like at ESPN. His entrance would have spelled the end for the intolerable “Five-time World Champion and Hall-of-Famer” Earvin Magic Johnson. He would be the star of the network and wouldn’t be forced to share the comedic limelight with someone like he’ll have to with Sir Charles. But that’s all in the past now, and we can only hope that David Stern, Adam Silver and Billy Hunter get their collective shit together so we don’t have to wait another year to see how this experiment plays out.