Inside the NBA

Inside the NBA, branded for sponsorship purposes as Inside the NBA presented by Kia, is the postgame studio and comedy show for NBA on TNT broadcasts. The show is currently hosted by Ernie Johnson (since 1990), joined on set by three analysts: Kenny "The Jet" Smith (1998– ), Charles Barkley (2000– ) and Shaquille O'Neal (2011– ). Notable former analysts have included Magic Johnson (2003–2007), Reggie Miller (2008–2011), and Chris Webber (2008–2011). By the early 2000s, the show was being consistently rated as among the best sports analysis shows on American television, and over its history has won seventeen Sports Emmy Awards. History Inside the NBA debuted after TNT acquired the rights to broadcast NBA games during the 1989–90 season. In its first season, there were no permanent hosts or analysts. Craig Sager, Hannah Storm, Vince Cellini, Tim Brando and Fred Hickman shared hosting duties at various points of the season. In the following season, Ernie Johnson Jr., formerly a sideline reporter, took over as the show's full-time host, a role he retains to this day. Initially, Inside the NBA focused on recaps of the day's games. Occasionally, Johnson invited a former or current NBA player or coach to sit in as a guest analyst. Kenny Smith joined Johnson full-time in 1998.