Latest news with #CharlesBarkley
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
And with that, an era ends: 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT'
Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out. The run of 'Inside the NBA' on TNT came to an end on Saturday night, after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one. Advertisement 'I'm proud to say for the last time, 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT,'" Johnson said, before turning his back to the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from that set for the final time. NBA games will not be airing on TNT starting next season when the league's new television package kicks in — an 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, one that keeps games on ABC and ESPN, brings the league back to NBC and starts a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video. ABC will broadcast the NBA Finals, meaning the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT's run. Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984 and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988. 'Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same," O'Neal said during the final broadcast. "And to that new network we're coming to, we're not coming to (expletive) around. ... We're taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.' Advertisement The moment was not lost on Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by beating New York, and when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle grabbed the microphone out of the host's hands. 'Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that's coming to an end,' Carlisle said in the unprompted tribute. 'We're all very sad about that.' The names of countless past and current broadcasters and analysts were included in the many tributes offered on-air after the game, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker and Craig Sager. 'Our hearts are full of gratitude,' TNT's Kevin Harlan said on-air, speaking to the viewers. 'Not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.' Advertisement Harlan had the play-by-play call for the final game, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on the broadcast as well. 'Think about my life. I'm very fortunate,' Miller said. 'I've only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.' Many members of the TNT production crew have gotten jobs with NBC and Amazon, Johnson said, because of their exemplary work to this point. 'Best production crew in the business, I might add,' Johnson said. And when it turned back to the 'Inside the NBA' crew for one last time on TNT, the emotions were clear. Advertisement "This has just been a magnificent ride," Smith said. Barkley talked about how he was going to sign with NBC when starting his broadcast career, then switched to TNT. 'I just want to say thank you to the NBA," Barkley said. 'Every coach I've had, every player I've played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I've had. I am so lucky and blessed. I'm lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we'll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.' ___ AP NBA: Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Charles Barkley Makes Serious Plea to Adam Silver Over Pacers Punishment
The Indiana Pacers have stolen home-court advantage from the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. This comes after Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers secured an incredible 138-135 overtime victory in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. A win in Game 2 on Friday will put the Pacers up 2-0 in this series before it shifts to Indiana for Games 3 and 4, and that will, without a doubt, make them heavy favorites to progress to the NBA Finals. Advertisement NBA on TNT's Charles Barkley is already looking ahead to those two games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Hall of Famer went on the air on Wednesday night to send a clear message to NBA commissioner Adam Silver with one particular request in mind. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the basket against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and guard Cameron Payne (1).Brad Penner-Imagn Images Barkley pleaded with Silver to let Haliburton's father, John Haliburton, attend Game 3 to watch his son. "I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow," Barkley said. "Me and Draymond (Green) were talking. It's time to let Mr. Halliburton back in the building. Yes, it is. "Adam, I'm asking you. Hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he's been punished. And I'm asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Halliburton back in the building for Game 3 and 4." Advertisement Barkley was referencing John Haliburton's altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the aftermath of the Pacers' series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. John Haliburton was seen taunting Antetokounmpo on the court as soon as the game ended, which led to the Bucks superstar confronting him moments later. The Pacers subsequently announced the team's decision to ban John Haliburton from attending home games "for the foreseeable future." He was not present in any of Indiana's games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in their second-round series against the Boston Celtics. According to Barkley, this was punishment enough for John Haliburton, which is why he wants Silver to intervene and lift the ban. Advertisement "I mean, listen, he paid his dues," Barkley continued. "It shouldn't be indefinite. He's been punished enough. He would never do anything that stupid again. "So, Adam, you know how much I love you. And my man (Pacers president) Kevin Pritchard, y'all, let Mr. Halliburton back in the building for Game 3." For what it's worth, Game 3 in Indiana isn't scheduled until Sunday, which gives the NBA and the Pacers a few days to make their decision. However, whether they will listen to Barkley's plea here remains to be seen. Related: Charles Barkley Left in Disbelief by 'Stupid' Steph Curry Declaration Related: Shaquille O'Neal's Real Reason for Missing NBA Playoffs Revealed by Charles Barkley Related: Shaquille O'Neal Had Words for Charles Barkley After Blunt Accusation
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Charles Barkley Issues Serious Warning to Pacers on Saturday
Charles Barkley Issues Serious Warning to Pacers on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Pacers are playing in the most important game of their season thus far on Saturday night. They host the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals up 3-2 in the series and just one win away from booking their spot in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement At the same time, however, a loss for Indiana will mark their second straight defeat in this series, and will allow the Knicks to force a Game 7 in Madison Square Garden on Monday. According to NBA on TNT's Charles Barkley, that's the last thing the Pacers want right now. In fact, the Hall of Fame has implied that Game 6 is a must-win contest for Indiana. "They better play with desperation tonight because If they do not win this game, they got an (expletive)-kickin' coming Monday night," Barkley said ahead of tip off on Saturday. There's no denying that the Pacers are in the driver's seat in Game 6, especially considering how they're playing in front of a capacity home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Advertisement This will be their first opportunity to close this series out at home after losing Game 5 in MSG on Thursday. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton vs. the New York Knicks.© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The Knicks, however, have momentum on their side after their 111-94 victory in Game 5, and they firmly believe that they are capable of winning this series despite going down 1-3 after Game 4. Everything will be on the line for both teams on Saturday night, but as Barkley implied, he is adamant that the pressure is on the Pacers to close this one out. Related: Jalen Brunson Holds Back to Avoid Live TV Disagreement With Charles Barkley Related: Tyrese Haliburton Calls Out Charles Barkley on Live TV: 'You're Too Old...' Related: Charles Barkley Makes Serious Plea to Adam Silver Over Pacers Punishment This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
And with that, an era ends: 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT'
Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out. The run of 'Inside the NBA' on TNT came to an end on Saturday night, after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one.
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
And with that, an era ends: 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT'
Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out. The run of 'Inside the NBA' on TNT came to an end on Saturday night, after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one. 'I'm proud to say for the last time, 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT,'' Johnson said, before turning his back to the camera, placing his microphone on the desk and getting up from that set for the final time. NBA games will not be airing on TNT starting next season when the league's new television package kicks in — an 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, one that keeps games on ABC and ESPN, brings the league back to NBC and starts a new relationship with Amazon Prime Video. ABC will broadcast the NBA Finals, meaning the end of the Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and New York was the end of TNT's run. Turner Sports first acquired an NBA package in 1984 and games were on TNT since the network launched in 1988. 'Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same,' O'Neal said during the final broadcast. 'And to that new network we're coming to, we're not coming to (expletive) around. ... We're taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.' The moment was not lost on Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. His team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by beating New York, and when his brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony was over, Carlisle grabbed the microphone out of the host's hands. 'Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that's coming to an end,' Carlisle said in the unprompted tribute. 'We're all very sad about that.' The names of countless past and current broadcasters and analysts were included in the many tributes offered on-air after the game, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker and Craig Sager. 'Our hearts are full of gratitude,' TNT's Kevin Harlan said on-air, speaking to the viewers. 'Not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.' Harlan had the play-by-play call for the final game, with Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on the broadcast as well. 'Think about my life. I'm very fortunate,' Miller said. 'I've only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.' Many members of the TNT production crew have gotten jobs with NBC and Amazon, Johnson said, because of their exemplary work to this point. 'Best production crew in the business, I might add,' Johnson said. And when it turned back to the 'Inside the NBA' crew for one last time on TNT, the emotions were clear. 'This has just been a magnificent ride,' Smith said. Barkley talked about how he was going to sign with NBC when starting his broadcast career, then switched to TNT. 'I just want to say thank you to the NBA,' Barkley said. 'Every coach I've had, every player I've played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I've had. I am so lucky and blessed. I'm lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we'll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.' ___ AP NBA:
