The 25 Most Hilarious Inside the NBA Moments

Still the funniest sports show on television, we tracked down only the best moments from Ernie, Chuck, Shaq, and Kenny. These guys always "go there."

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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For over a decade now, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith have been reminding us that NBA basketball can be funny. One of the edgiest and most inappropriate talk-shows out there, Inside the NBA always dares to "go there" and take jokes a step too far—all for the bemusement of the audience. There isn't another sports show out there that has the kind of chemistry that Johnson, Barkley, Smith, and now Shaquille O'Neal have on set. 

A quick story reflecting the core of this show: In my Sports Media class, one of the special guests was Nate Smeltz, an executive at Turner Sports who helps produce Inside. He explained that when he worked at ESPN, all of their talk-shows were very regimented in format. The segments were rehearsed, and every talking head knew exactly when to jump-in on the conversation.

Upon moving to Turner Sports and producing Inside, Smeltz noticed that only Ernie would show up to the pre-show production meetings. The rest of the gang wouldn't show (they usually lolly-gag and arrive at the studio an hour before air-time), and frankly, the show's producers liked it that way. By not rehearsing anything, it allowed for the dynamic personalities of Chuck, Shaq, and The Jet to be spontaneous, natural, and damned funny.

That being said, these are without a doubt (okay, you might have your own personal favorites that didn't make the list) The 25 Most Hilarious Inside the NBA Moments.

25. Charles Barkley Tries to Go David Blaine

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24. Not Even Close

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23. Charles Describes a Quick Way to Get Diabetes

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22. The Crew Shows Paul Pierce No Mercy

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21. Kenny Smith's Yeast Infection

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19. This is What Happens When Shaq Posts You up

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19. Charles Barkley is Blacker and Whiter Than Snoop Dogg

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18. Professor Barkley Gets Exposed

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17. Shoe Fight!

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16. The Spelling Bee Goes Exactly How You'd Think It'd Go

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15. "Tree!"

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14. Charles Barkley Hits the Hay

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Date: 3/13/2014

"Once Scandal was done, I was done for the night."-Charles Barkley, in defense of nodding off on set. The jokes seem to write themselves.

13. The Guys Discuss Beefs and Battles

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12. Shaq Sumo Wrestles Chuck

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11. Champagne Showers For Chuck

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10. Charles Barkley Sees a Ghost

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9. Kenny Smith Leaves Charles Barkley With Sour Lips

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8. Ernie Mocks LeBron's Hairline "Decision"

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7. "You Kissed Dick in the Mouth"

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6. Chuck Needs a Spa Day

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Date: 1/24/2013

Pure foolishness from Shaq, Kenny, and C-Webb. Pure! Also, this is the most terrifying photoshop job in the history of Inside.

5. Confirmed: Ernie Johnson Is White

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4. KAZAAM

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3. The Team Retires Kenny's Number

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2. Check If There's a Crack in the Floor

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1. Imagine the Crew as White Guys

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