The TNT "Inside the NBA" guys -- Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith -- always have funny little postgame gimmicks (provided you think "crappy photoshops" are "funny") but last night they busted out a remake of the famed Cleveland Tourism Video (note: it's fake people) which included little bits mocking the various analysts. And if that wasn't enough to get me on board, they also poked fun at Kyra Sedgwick.
Another day, another NBA Twitter story. This time, it's not a story about a player on Twitter, but the league and its broadcast partners utilizing Twitter to promote this year's NBA playoffs. According to a report on Mashable.com on Wednesday, Turner Sports (TNT and NBA TV) plans to have its team of commentators start tweeting throughout the playoffs.
I know what you're thinking ... Charles Barkley on Twitter. Well, not quite. Kenny Smith, Craig Sager and Ernie Johnson will all be tweeting, but there's no mention of the the Chuckster on the list of Turner personalities getting Twitter accounts. Turrable!
In this clip from TNT's Overtime, Kenny, Charles, and C-Webb discuss the firing of Raptors' coach Sam Mitchell. While debating whether the team's sub-.500 record was Smitch's fault, they also discuss the personnel of the team, and after Charles makes some kind of Playboy bunny analogy, he mentions to Kenny that he might be confusing Jose Calderon with another Jose he has a fondness for.
I love the fact that it's like 2AM when they're filming these segments, so pretty much anything goes. The NBATV show that features Webber and Gary Payton together is quickly gaining on the TNT crew in terms of entertainment value, but still, nothing beats some classic analysis from Charles Barkley.
ESPN is all about making the big splash. And what's bigger than inking Earvin "Magic" Johnson to a broadcasting contract, just mere days after he blasted a pair of radio hosts for accusing him of faking AIDS?(Aside: Really, radio show people? Really?)
Answer: Not much. So it makes sense that the WWL announced today that they will employ Magic throughout the season in various roles as an NBA analyst. However, the coverage he'll provide is somewhat curious as the press release seems to indicate that he will only be working on Christmas Day and during the postseason.
"Magic has always been one of the most accomplished people in every field he has endeavored. He was an incomparable player and has become one of the best NBA analysts in the business. His unique insights, perspective and personality will be the perfect complement to Stuart (Scott), Mike (Wilbon) and Jon (Barry)," said [NORBY!] Williamson.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the ESPN family. I look forward to working with a great team and covering all the big NBA events," said Johnson. "Christmas Day can't come soon enough for me."
See what I mean? The season doesn't exactly start then. Which makes me wonder why ESPN bothered locking him up to a deal if they're only going to give him coverage twice a year.
This is some of the greatest television you will ever watch. Ernie Johnson pulled an Anchorman on Charles Barkley last night, editing the teleprompter to read "I'm a dumbass" while Charles was filming a T-Mobile commercial in the TNT studios. Charles did not realize it until after he'd said it. Actually right about the last syllable of the sentence, you see this amazing look of recognition come over his face.
To Barkley's credit, he doesn't get angry. He just seems amazed.
All this time I thought that the secret to Charles Barkley's success as a player was the fact that he was an incredible athlete that played the game with a toughness that few players around the league were able to match. Turns out I was wrong. Because according to Charles, It was all about "my butt - which is huge."
I've never agreed with Kenny Smith more in my entire life than when he instructed the TNT crew not to go to a commercial break after Charles began a sentence with, "When I was in physics class ..." And as he finished the sentence, it was revealed that physics professors at Auburn taught the principles of "skinny spiny legs against a big ol' butt." Absolutely fascinating.
Contrary to widespread internet rumors, it would appear, based on what Dwyane Wade said at halftime of the Detroit-Philadelphia game on Thrusday, that he and Star Jones are just "friends". Of course, that was his halftime stance after getting ragged by Charles Barkley (DE-WA-YANE WADE!) and Kenny Smith for dating a "cougar". Here are two videos, one of the pregame non-denial of the relationship ...
Several outlets -- including, um, TNT's Kenny Smith -- are reporting that TNT's Kenny Smith will interview for the almost-vacant general manager role with the New York Knicks. The GM will report to Donnie Walsh; Billy King and Rick Sund have been the other names floated for the gig. Glen Grunwald has the job this morning, and Walsh has said he'll keep Grunwald's crew in town through the June draft.
The Jet, of course, has front office experience ... which means he'll fit nicely with prospective Knicks coach Mark Jackson, who has zero bench experience. But any personnel decisions he makes will pale in import to the void his move to Madison Square Garden will leave in TNT's Thursday night (and in the playoffs, more frequent) studio.
So how about some replacement ideas?
Chris Webber. Webb got mixed reviews for his work last night, with Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer opposed and Awful Announcing's Brian Powell in favor. He has the attitude and chops to hang with Charles Barkley, but remains a bit lacking in the analysis category (which would not be unique to the left side of Ernie Johnson's chair).
Sam Cassell. Sam's getting into coaching once he playing career ends, so this is probably a non-starter. But can you imagine??? Heads would explode with a weekly dose of Barkley and Cassell.
Anyone but Magic. Everyone loves Magic Johnson ... but can anyone stand him on Inside the NBA? Didn't think so.
Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson had some fun parodying Kobe Bryant's car-jumping commercial, but it was a little bit predictable, no? Kenny signs off heading into commercial by remarking, "YouTube is going to be going crazy now," but if they actually spent a little time on YouTube, they'd know this joke is about 10 days old, which in internet time is something like 12 years.
That said, the shoes in the road were a nice touch, as was the slow-mo replay of Ernie driving the car, building just enough on top of the comedy pyramid to escape accusations of completely lifting material from the internet.
I debated on actually posting this video, because, well, it's kind of gross. But if TNT can roll with it live, I see no reason why FanHouse can't pull on it either. Anyway, Kenny Smith just came back from new-dad leave and to celebrate his return, the gang had a diaper changing contest between he and Charles Barkley. Be warned that it is mildly gross in that there is a Baby Ruth involved about a minute in.
Yes, I know. It's disgusting. But it's also hysterical.
Another day, another NBA Twitter story. This time, it's not a story about a player on Twitter, but the league and its broadcast partners utilizing Twitter to promote this year's NBA playoffs. According to a report on Mashable.com on Wednesday, Turner Sports (TNT and NBA TV) plans to have its team of commentators start tweeting throughout the playoffs. 
ESPN is all about making the big splash. And what's bigger than inking Earvin "Magic" Johnson to a broadcasting contract, just mere days after he blasted a pair of radio hosts for accusing him of faking AIDS?(Aside: Really, radio show people? Really?)
Several outlets -- including, um, TNT's Kenny Smith -- are reporting that TNT's Kenny Smith will interview for the almost-vacant general manager role with the New York Knicks. The GM will report to Donnie Walsh; Billy King and Rick Sund have been the other names floated for the gig. Glen Grunwald has the job this morning, and Walsh has said he'll keep Grunwald's crew in town through the June draft.
