TNT's "Inside the NBA" is one of the most revered analyst desk shows in sports specifically because of how generally fun it is. But it caught some flak when Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal melted down in an uncontrollable fit of giggles after Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith talked about Anthony Davis leaving Game 5 of the Lakers-Warriors series with a concussion.
Draymond Green said on his podcast "I saw a lot of people laughing and joking. But it's a hit to the head. One small hit to the head can change everything in your life, so I don't really understand the joke."
O'Neal is clearly aware of the criticism, and he said he wasn't laughing at Davis' injury.
“It doesn’t matter what we were laughing about," he said, per The Athletic. "I’m laughing at (Barkley), he’s laughing at me. I’m not going to get into it.”
MORE: Anthony Davis wheelchair exit: Shaq, Barkley laugh off Lakers star's injury
O'Neal did, however, have an add-on.
“I ain’t making fun of nobody, that’s not what I do," he said. "But I do know you’re not going to stop me from playing in that Game 6.
“You see why I walk funny? Because I sucked it up. You see why my toes don’t bend? Because I sucked it up.”
While the veracity of the "Shaqtin a Fool" host's statement that he doesn't make fun of anybody is questionable, Davis is expected to play in Game 6 Friday night.
MORE: Attacking Anthony Davis is key to Warriors playoff comeback
Here's the laughing fit from the pair.
Inside the NBA crew while talking about Lakers-Warriors & Anthony Davis:
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 11, 2023
Ernie Johnson: "What are you laughing about?"
Shaq: "I'm laughing at Chuck."
Charles Barkley: "Shaq is over there crumbling up paper... We need to go to that next game quickly."pic.twitter.com/yNIOm5DaO3
Davis, of course, has a history of being oft-injured, and it frequently impacts discussions about him. Ultimately, NBA fans really only have O'Neal's word for it in this case.
