Leave it to TNT’s Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson, to be the saver of awkward moments.
Last night, Nuggets center JaVale McGee appeared on Inside the NBA for a brief interview with his friendenemy and frequent critic Shaquille O’Neal. After scoring zero points, two rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes of play during the Denver Nuggets 107-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, you had to know Shaq would go after the young fellow.
However, the segment took an awkward turn, after McGee started off calling Shaq a bully, while referring to Shaq’s “Shaqtin’ A Fool,” which showcases funny plays within the course of a game, but McGee wasn’t having it tonight.
He may have been scoreless but they won, so respect the man or else. Or else, he’ll force a live segment to go awkward quickly by using a racial slur to describe Shaq’s show.
This is exactly what happens when you don’t have Charles Barkley on set to keep everyone under control. The interview couldn’t be saved after that. McGee ended by reminding Shaq, who recently trued 41, he’s old as dirt. He could have exited without saying that corny line.
Although Shaq attempted to make nice by informing McGee he too was a blooper during his younger years, the damage was already done. From the opening seconds McGee seemed uncomfortable participating in an interview with the same man who has a show, which almost entirely pokes fun at him.
I give him kudos for doing the interview, but you have to maintain self control. TNT can laugh about it because they won’t get a call from the NBA asking them to pay a fine for using a racial slur on live television. They will be calling you McGee. You have to be wiser, and get some better comebacks in the process. I guess it’s safe to say he will once again appear on Shaqtin’ A Fool.