'Exciting Plotlines: 'Inside the NBA' Makes a Comeback for a New Season on TNT'

Plotline No. 3:

Set your recorders: EJ, Kenny, Charles and Shaq return for another season of “Inside the NBA” on TNT.

The long, agonizing, annual wait is almost over. The time is almost right to grab the remote, press the red button, and then stash it for a few hours or so.

And when that happens, do not change that channel, and really, why should you? And miss what the Chuckster says next?

“Inside The NBA” is finally back. The legendary studio show and all of its hilarity, insight and controversy returns to TNT starting Tuesday on-site in Boston, where the Celtics will receive their 2024 championship rings.

Of course, that ceremony is secondary because The Show always takes precedence. How many studio shows in any sport are more popular than the game that follows? (Answer: One.)

The show is celebrating its 35th year, has collected 21 Emmys and is recognized inside the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s all because of the chemistry and unpredictability of everyone involved. The script never stays the same, and sometimes there is no script.

Ernie Johnson belongs on the Rushmore of studio hosts. Shaquille O’Neal will sell you his takes during the show — and then his products during commercials. Kenny Smith is cerebral and smooth except when he sprints to the big board at halftime.

And then there’s Charles Barkley, the most popular panelist in sports, who is made for this.

But that’s not all — Tim Kiely is back! Evidently bored during his one-year retirement, “TK” returns to executive produce the show. The godfather of “Inside,” Kiely started with the network in 1995 and his leadership marks the second-most critical job of his life. His first — and you might not know this — was hiking the ball to Dan Marino in high school.

“Inside The NBA” and the rise of the league’s popularity over the last few decades isn’t a coincidence. The show generates eyeballs and is religiously followed by fans, players, coaches and key figures inside the league office. Because what else would keep you riveted and awake past midnight until it’s time to see who was on Shaqtin’ A Fool?

Starting Tuesday and until May (when the last entry of Gone Fishin’ is revealed), “Inside” will reign as the undisputed champion of NBA television. Because Barkley says so. And as you know, he’s not always right, but he’s never wrong.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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