SHAQ ATTACK
Shaq tells Charles Barkley ‘shut the hell up’ live on Inside the NBA as fans claim ‘he’s about to lose it’ with co-star
Shaq then predicted who would be the hero of the Game 6 showdown between the Knicks and Sixers
INSIDE the NBA analyst star Shaquille O'Neal truly hates being interrupted on live TV.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend got mad when Charles Barkley didn't let him finish his prediction for Thursday's NBA Playoffs doubleheader.
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The TNT crew worked another late shift on Wednesday.
The network broadcast the Boston Celtics' 118-84 win over the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks' 123-93 victory over the LA Clippers.
Inside the NBA stars then shared their thoughts on the next day's slate, featuring Game 6 in the New York Knicks-Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers series.
Host Ernie Johnson asked O'Neal, 52, if the Knicks or Pacers would book a spot in the next round on Thursday.
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"I say no," Shaq said.
But before he could elaborate further, the impatient Barkley interjected to ask his co-analyst which matchup he referred to.
The former 7-foot-1 NBA center gave Chuck, 61, an angry look.
"Let me finish," O'Neal then said in his characteristically low voice.
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"Shut the hell up."
Shaq's response caused the rest of the panel to chuckle.
NBA fans fear for Inside the NBA featuring Chuck and Shaq as league mulls major broadcasting change and $2.5bn NBC bid
And TNT viewers laughed with them on social media.
"Shaq's face says it all, about to lose it with Chuck," one wrote.
"Brother be forgetting who Shaq is," another added.
"Shaq was one interruption away from talking about his rings," a third said.
Inside the NBA's future?
INSIDE the NBA's run on TNT Sports is in doubt due to the NBA's broadcasting deals.
The Emmy-winning sports show is a fan favorite thanks to the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.
But TNT's broadcast deal with the NBA is up after next season and NBC are said to be lining up a bid to take those rights.
If TNT loses their NBA package, it raises questions over the popular Inside the NBA.
One solution could be to recreate the show on another network which snaps up the NBA rights.
"You've got to love these four dudes," one wrote.
O'Neal then predicted that the Sixers would force Game 7 after a monster performance from center Joel Embiid.
"As the president of the big man alliance, I like to think that we all think alike," the four-time NBA champion said.
"Tomorrow's going to be the best Joel Embiid you've ever seen…
"Knicks do not close out in Philly. Joel Embiid's going to go really, really crazy."
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Embiid struggled in Tuesday's Game 5 despite logging a triple-double with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
But Tyrese Maxey stepped in and dropped a 46-piece carry Philly to a 112-106 overtime win, capitalizing on New York's errors late in the game.