Inside the NBA Bids Farewell with F-Bombs and a Mic Drop: What’s Next for This Landmark Show as It Joins ESPN?

After 35 seasons, "Inside the NBA" has officially wrapped up its time on TNT. The show ended during the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, with heartfelt goodbyes from the hosts. Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller led a tribute to the many broadcasters who made the show memorable.

In their signature style, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal humorously "cast off" into the unknown. Johnson expressed his emotions, saying, "If I had written the script, the NBA and TNT would have been together forever. It’s not going to happen." The farewell was both touching and filled with the unique charm that fans loved.

Though the show is leaving TNT, it’s not disappearing. "Inside the NBA" will continue on ESPN next season, thanks to a key deal in November where ESPN acquired broadcasting rights. This also means that TNT will take over exclusive rights for various college sports, marking a significant shift in broadcasting dynamics.

What Will Change?

Will ESPN make big changes to the show? It’s likely that they’ll keep much of what fans love. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro chose "Inside the NBA" because the network has struggled to create compelling NBA shows in the past. Their attempts have often fallen flat, while "Inside the NBA" has become iconic.

Andrew Marchand, a media reporter, believes ESPN will keep the show largely unchanged. He cited other ESPN acquisitions that have maintained their original format. This means fans might see the same beloved crew—Barkley, Johnson, Smith, and O’Neal—continue to entertain and analyze basketball as they always have.

In fact, the ESPN announcement indicated that "Inside the NBA" will still be produced by TNT in Atlanta. This means the chemistry and dynamic of the existing team will remain intact, which is great news for fans.

What to Expect Next Season

While the details of when "Inside the NBA" will air aren’t fully clear yet, it will cover significant NBA events like the NBA Finals and Christmas games, adding excitement for viewers. However, some concerns have been raised about scheduling. Kenny Smith expressed unease about relinquishing control over show timings, highlighting the complexities that come with such a transition.

Despite potential challenges, this shift represents a new chapter. Fans can look forward to the same humor and sharp analysis, just on a different platform. Johnson’s final sign-off was bittersweet: "I’m proud to say for the last time: Thanks for watching us."

In the end, basketball lovers can breathe easy knowing that the spirit of "Inside the NBA" will live on, just in a new home.

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Inside the NBA, ESPN, TNT, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, NBA, Shaquille O'Neal, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Reggie Miller, Atlanta, Denver