With the Pacers now leading the series 3-1 over the Knicks, Game 5 will become an elimination game situation for New York.
If the Pacers can close out the series, it will be the end of a multi-decade era for one of the best basketball shows in NBA history.
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Why could Game 5 be it for NBA on TNT?
After TNT wasn’t part of the new TV agreement that starts in the 25-26 NBA season, it was known going into the 24-25 season that this would be the last ride for the iconic show Inside the NBA as well.
Inside the NBA has featured Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith for years, and has always analyzed the game in a unique way that other stations and broadcasters haven’t captured before.
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The show incorporated comedy often, while still trying to break the game down for NBA fans to understand better.
The legendary Ernie Johnson has been the host for years, and has always done a phenomenal job at handling any situation at the desk in a professional and entertaining manner.
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Johnson is someone who is respected by many and hated by very few.
Inside the NBA had different segments from “Shaqtin’ a fool”,”EJ’s Neat-O Stat of the Night”, “Who He Play For?” along with many others.
The guys at the desk would always have competitions to see who could run from the desk to the game breakdown board the fastest, and at times ended up with Shaq on the floor or even in a Christmas tree.
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There have been other fill-ins at the desk over the years and on certain days of the week, but none were better than what the main four icons have been able to provide to fans for years.
Play the iconic NBA on TNT song and I would guarentee any NBA fan could sing it and tell you what it’s from.
The NBA will be broadcasted nationally next season on ESPN networks, NBC and Amazon Prime in the next TV contract that will last until the 35-36 NBA season.
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