Shaq To Join Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith On TNT’s ‘Inside The NBA’

Obviously, there’s a certain someone missing in that “Big 2” statement, which was pointed out by Antonio Davis to Shaq. Shaq’s response was to smile and say he didn’t want to be accused of starting something up.

(Photo via J.E. Skeets)

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley just seem like a match made in Heaven in the world of television. They’re perfect on their own, each possessing the personality traits necessary to create quality, entertaining broadcasts. As NBA analysts, both could stand on their own, providing insights from their playing days with a candor most are afraid to use when just out of the game.

Barkley and Shaq are now partners in crime -- with Shaq joining the Turner NBA team, according to a report on Saturday. It’s the marriage many fans were hoping for after Shaq retired: Putting him alongside Barkley, who’s developed into an excellent and entertaining analyst, is a pairing that’s exciting on its own. And while the agreement is certainly a good deal for both sides -- Turner receiving the services of Shaq and Shaq being able to jump head-first into broadcasting -- we don’t yet know how he’ll fit in with the TNT crew.

Almost immediately after Shaquille O’Neal announced his retirement, the attention turned to what’s next. Shaq has always been an engaging personality, building his brand by carefully presenting a happy-go-lucky, media-friendly face. He’s got humor, can draw in fans and is a ready-made television personality. It was only a matter of time before he took up a broadcasting career, much like Charles Barkley has done.

On Saturday, CNBC’s Darren Rovell reported Shaq will join Turner, presumably in some kind of broadcasting/analysis role.