When it comes to Inside the NBA, the long-running and Emmy-winning TNT show, it’s never just about basketball. It’s about personalities, outrageous jokes, unforgettable rants, and the unpredictable chemistry between the crew — Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and of course, Charles Barkley. Over the years, the show has become just as famous for its off-court comedy as it has for its on-court analysis. And when Shaquille O’Neal was recently asked about his favorite Charles Barkley moment, he didn’t hesitate.
With a grin stretching from ear to ear, Shaq said, “Easy. It’s when Chuck refused to apologize to San Antonio.”
For those who’ve followed the show religiously — or even just casually — this was no surprise. Charles Barkley’s long-running comedic feud with the city of San Antonio has been one of the show’s most infamous and hilarious storylines, and it all started with one simple joke that snowballed into a full-blown saga.
The Birth of a Running Gag
It began years ago, when Charles, in his usual unfiltered fashion, made a comment about the women of San Antonio. On live TV, Barkley joked, “There’s a lot of big ol’ women in San Antonio.” It was classic Chuck: unfiltered, irreverent, and totally politically incorrect. But what made it even more Barkley was the way he doubled down over the years — instead of walking it back or issuing a half-hearted apology, he kept going with the jokes, even incorporating churros and River Walk references into his San Antonio bit.
Shaq, who joined Inside the NBA in 2011, was instantly both horrified and delighted.
“I was like, ‘Man, you can’t say that!’ But it was so funny, I almost fell out of my chair,” Shaq recalled. “We were all laughing, even Ernie tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn’t.”
“I’m Not Apologizing!”
The moment Shaq says truly sealed the deal for him — the one that turned it from a funny jab into television gold — came when the network, likely under pressure from offended viewers or PR concerns, tried to get Charles to issue an apology.
On air, with his arms crossed and a defiant look on his face, Charles stared straight into the camera and said, “I’m not apologizing, San Antonio!”
The studio exploded with laughter.
Shaq, laughing just retelling it, said: “That was it. That’s when I knew. This man is not backing down. He don’t care. And it was so Chuck. You can’t make that up. That was real.”
The Churros and the Commitment
What made the entire bit even more legendary was Barkley’s unwavering commitment to the gag. While most celebrities would drop a joke after a few angry tweets or a trending hashtag, Charles leaned into it.
“He brought churros on set!” Shaq said, still amazed. “He said, ‘This is what the big girls in San Antonio eat.’ I was crying. You just don’t see that kind of authenticity anymore.”
Kenny Smith would often try to play the voice of reason, and Ernie Johnson — the calm dad figure of the crew — tried to steer the conversation back to basketball. But once Chuck was on a roll, there was no stopping him.
And what’s more? The audience loved it.
“It wasn’t hate,” Shaq explained. “Chuck ain’t got a mean bone in his body. People knew it was all jokes. It was about the delivery, the timing — it was comedy, not cruelty.”
San Antonio’s Response
Over the years, San Antonio had its fun, too. Local newscasters clapped back with clever segments, restaurants invited Charles to come eat “as many churros as he wanted,” and even the Spurs social media team got involved with tongue-in-cheek posts. The city didn’t just take it on the chin — they turned it into a badge of honor.
In fact, in 2014, Charles visited San Antonio and appeared to make peace with the city — at least temporarily. “Y’all know I love y’all,” he said. “I just be joking.”
But the magic of the original “I’m not apologizing!” moment lives on.
Why It Resonates with Shaq
For Shaquille O’Neal, a man who himself is no stranger to comedy, trolling, or viral moments, Charles’s refusal to cave under pressure struck a chord.
“That’s why I love Chuck,” Shaq said. “He’s real. He’s honest. He don’t play by the rules. He says what everybody else is scared to say, and if you don’t like it, tough.”
Shaq added that in a world of polished statements, brand-conscious stars, and sanitized TV segments, Inside the NBA remains a rare pocket of authenticity — largely because of Charles Barkley.
“You never know what he’s gonna say. He might say something crazy, he might be right, he might be wrong — but you’re gonna feel it. And that moment with San Antonio? That was peak Chuck.”
A Bond Built on Banter
Shaq and Chuck have had their share of verbal sparring matches on the show — yelling, interrupting, and even threatening to throw hands — but underneath all the banter is a mutual respect.
“We fight, we argue, we roast each other — but I love that dude,” Shaq admitted. “And that moment? It was the realest, funniest thing I’ve ever seen on TV.”
And that’s what makes Inside the NBA so beloved. It’s not just basketball. It’s about brotherhood, humor, and moments that you’ll remember long after the final buzzer.
The Legacy of the Laugh
Charles Barkley’s “I’m not apologizing, San Antonio!” may not be his most politically correct moment, but it remains one of the show’s most iconic. It embodies the spirit of Inside the NBA — a place where authenticity trumps polish, and where jokes fly freely in the name of good fun.
As Shaq put it: “That’s Chuck. Unfiltered, fearless, funny. That moment is why people tune in every week. You can’t script that stuff. You just gotta let Chuck be Chuck.”
And if you’re from San Antonio?
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