Another blunder made for seamless comedy on Tuesday night’s Inside the NBA before Game 4 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks.
Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Charles Barkley all discussed the Hawks’ options at point guard with Trae Young out due to a foot injury. There are only four teams remaining, but that didn’t keep Barkley from messing up the Atlanta roster.
The “Round Mound of Rebound” wasn’t too keen on the Hawks inserting Lou Williams into the starting lineup.
“I wouldn’t do that; I would start Jeff Teague,” Barkley said, as Smith turned to his co-analysts with a puzzling look.
“He’s not exactly on the Atlanta Hawks,” Johnson quickly informed Barkley.
“Big dummy!” Shaq roasted Barkley with a laugh.
Any affirmation or tear down of a team/player from the “Chuckster” should send viewers rushing to their nearest legal sports betting state. Williams was fantastic for the Hawks in Game 4. The veteran sixth man option started his first NBA playoff contest and had a game-high 21 points and eight assists on 7-of-9 shooting from the field.
Meanwhile, Teague played for the Hawks from 2009-16 before coming back for a brief stint in 2019. He now suits up for the Bucks on the other end of the court. Yes, Barkley tried to put a player on the opposing team in the Hawks starting lineup.
The authentic host wouldn’t be bullied for the gaffe declaring, “I can make a mistake,” yet still wouldn’t relent to Williams being the best option, so he asked the panel. Barkley could’ve guessed that would lead to more jokes, as Shaq suggested the Hawks dust off 80s cult hero Spud Webb.
Barkley and the whole crew made astute observations about the Bucks’ unwillingness “to step on the Hawks’ throats,” during halftime but the legendary four-man panel never seems to tire of Barkley making his simple mistakes.