Charles Barkley became visibly emotional Wednesday, fighting back tears while paying tribute to his longtime colleague Ernie Johnson, who announced he will be leaving the "Inside the NBA" program after 37 years. The departure of Johnson, 70, marks the end of an era for the beloved basketball show.
Barkley, 63, has been a prominent figure on "Inside the NBA" for over two decades and expressed the profound impact Johnson has had on him and the show.
"That was tough," Barkley said on air. "We knew the day was coming. Still tough. Been here for 26, 27 years and it’s been an honor and a privilege to work with you all this time, and Kenny [Smith] and Shaq [Shaquille O’Neal], and the amazing people behind the scenes. Nothing like it to be able to dribble a stupid basketball and get rich and famous, and then come here and get paid to watch the best players in the world. … You get paid to do it. We’d watch anyway."
He continued, reflecting on the most common question he receives about his co-host: "The question I’m asked the most, I’m not gonna lie, most of the time I’m like, ‘Where’s Shaq?’ and ‘Where’s Kenny Smith?’ Like I keep them in my damn back pocket. But the question I’m probably asked the most is, ‘Is Ernie Johnson as good a person as he seems?’ And I say, ‘Man, he’s better than that.’"
Barkley concluded his tribute by saying, "So, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being our leader for all these years."
Johnson shared his decision to depart the show via a video on social media, citing that a "contributing factor" was his ongoing heart issues and a bypass surgery he underwent over a year ago. He acknowledged Barkley's heartfelt words, stating, "Chuckster, that means the world. Look, I was holding everything together pretty well today, and then looking at you, man."
Johnson will continue with the program through the current season and will remain involved with March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS. Barkley had previously indicated that this season would likely be his last as well, having stated in an interview with Bill Simmons that he and Johnson were a "package deal."