Watch: Charles Barkley beats Kenny Smith to the board
Kevin Frazier honored the absent Ernie Johnson the way he’d have wanted: by beating Kenny Smith to the video board.
With “Elevator” Ernie Johnson out after the death of his mother, Kenny “The Jet” Smith tried to take advantage of the inexperienced replacement host. In a transparent effort to distract Frazier, Smith asked to see his shoes. Charles “Chuck” Barkley wasn’t deceived, nor was Frazier, as they sprung from their chairs and beat Smith to the big screen.
Johnson, a multiple Emmy winner and veteran of many such races, took the night off after his mother, Lois Marjorie Johnson, died earlier this week at age 94. TNT presented a touching video tribute to Mrs. Johnson during the telecast.
TNT has been airing "Inside the NBA" for so long that players have great affection for the crew, which has created a collegial, goofy and occasionally heartfelt environment that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the sports landscape.
This was clear after the Boston Celtics’ huge victory over the Golden State Warriors. Despite his own monster game, Jayson Tatum made sure to send his condolences to Johnson’s family.
There’s truly no one like Ernie Johnson, and there’s truly no show like "Inside the NBA." It’s a real family atmosphere, and nothing says family like beating your brother in a foot race, especially after he tried to cheat.
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