There we were, sitting on the couch, watching the Milwaukee Bucks play the Orlando Magic in some NBA Cup action. Then halftime, and of course the Inside the NBA crew doing their thing. Their thing last night (as of this posting date) – hilarious, of course. We saw it happen live… did you?
When it comes to our man Shaq, his larger-than-life persona isn’t just metaphorical—it’s literal, too. Standing over seven feet tall and clocking in at 325 pounds during his playing days, Shaq has always been a walking highlight reel of power and hilarity. That combination of strength and humor was on full display Tuesday night on TNT’s Inside the NBA, when the Big Diesel did what he does best: wreaking havoc, this time on a helpless video board.
You’ve seen it many times, we know. At some point during the halftime show, Kenny “The Jet” Smith is going to bounce over to the supersized full-wall display to give his breakdown of the action. Many a night, one of the other Inside team members will try to make a fast break and get to the board before Kenny. Smith is not undefeated, but pretty much always gets there first. C’mon, we did say “the Jet,” didn’t we?
Sometimes if Sir Charles, but usually it’s Shaq himself, trying to out-sprint Smith to the big board. Here’s the eyewitness report on last night’s action: Smith was giving a few stats, and – as usual – was very likely getting ready for his jog to the big board.
But in true Inside the NBA fashion, Shaq had other plans. Seizing the moment, he turned the analysis into a race—because why not? The Diesel beat Kenny to the board, leaving his co-host hilariously outmaneuvered.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
To celebrate his “victory,” Shaq gave the video board a playful smack. Well, playful for Shaq. For mere mortals (or fragile electronics), it was a full-force slam. Moments later, the evidence was undeniable: the screen went haywire, with one section going completely dead where Shaq’s hand landed.
Kenny’s reaction was priceless: “Oh, he done broke the board!” he exclaimed as Shaq sauntered back to his seat, grinning like a kid who just got away with something. “Oh damn, sorry,” Shaq said between fits of laughter, clearly not that sorry.
Of course, the show must go on, and Kenny wasn’t about to let a little technical difficulty—or Shaq-sized destruction—stop him. Channeling every kid who grew up with a janky TV, Smith joked, “I had this type of TV growing up, so I can definitely do it.” He attempted to make the broken display work for his breakdown, but let’s be real: the only breakdown anyone cared about was Shaq’s accidental demolition.
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This isn’t Shaq’s first foray into breaking things. From shattering backboards during his legendary NBA career to obliterating chairs on podcast sets, Shaq’s strength has been a recurring character in his comedy of errors. Let’s not forget his infamous fall during Inside the NBAback in 2019, when he tripped over wires and went down like a giant oak tree, leaving the crew—and viewers—crying with laughter.
Shaq’s ability to turn everyday moments into comedy gold is part of what makes him such a beloved figure on and off the court. Whether he’s poking fun at himself, roasting his co-hosts, or breaking expensive studio equipment, he always keeps the vibe light and hilarious.
The incident also speaks to the unique chemistry of the Inside the NBA crew. Kenny, Shaq, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson have created a show where even a broken video board turns into must-see TV. Shaq’s antics are the perfect complement to Kenny’s straight-man role, Charles’ endless hot takes, and Ernie’s cool-headed professionalism.
Fans took to social media almost immediately after the video board debacle, with comments like, “Shaq breaking stuff on live TV is why I watch,” and, “That video board never stood a chance.” One fan even joked, “Somebody check if the video board is under warranty!”
In the end, it’s just another day in the life for our man Shaq. So, let’s pour one out for the fallen video board and salute Shaq for keeping sports entertainment fresh, funny, and just a little bit chaotic. After all, if he weren’t breaking something, it just wouldn’t be Shaq.