The NBA Cup semifinals took center stage in Las Vegas on Saturday, and the Inside the NBA crew seized the opportunity for a memorable field trip to Sin City. As expected, hilarity ensued when Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley welcomed ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for a bit of lighthearted competition ahead of the games.
The chaos began with a free-throw shooting contest between Stephen A. Smith and Kenny Smith in front of hundreds of fans.
To everyone’s surprise, Stephen A. emerged victorious, edging out Kenny despite the duo combining to hit just four of 10 shots from the line.
The lackluster performance, however, was just a warm-up for what would become a full-blown comedy of errors.
The Three-Point Contest from Hell
Not one to back down from a challenge, Shaquille O’Neal decided to raise the stakes, calling out Stephen A. for a three-point shooting contest. What followed was a display so disastrous it left fans laughing, groaning, and questioning how two basketball icons could produce such a spectacle.
Both Shaq and Stephen A. began launching brick after brick, trading airballs and errant shots that failed to even graze the rim. The growing crowd of fans—both in-person and watching at home—erupted in boos and laughter, thoroughly entertained by the trainwreck on display.
Things got so bad that Kenny Smith decided to up the ante, jokingly pledging $10,000 to charity if either of them could just hit the rim. For what felt like an eternity, neither Shaq nor Stephen A. could manage to accomplish even that modest feat.
A Hero Emerges
Finally, after countless failed attempts and mounting embarrassment, Stephen A. Smith drained a shot, bringing the ill-fated contest to a merciful conclusion. The crowd erupted, relieved that the spectacle had finally ended.
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Inside the NBA: A League of Its Own
The antics during the three-point contest served as a reminder of why Inside the NBA remains the gold standard of sports panel shows. Whether it’s Charles Barkley’s off-the-cuff humor, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality, or moments like these that blend comedy and sports, the show consistently sets itself apart from the rest of the pack.
Fortunately for fans, the Inside the NBA crew isn’t going anywhere.
Their unpredictable antics and unmatched chemistry continue to make every broadcast a must-watch event—even if it occasionally means enduring some truly painful shooting displays.
