TNT’s “Inside the NBA” is the most entertaining studio show in all of sports, and Tuesday night, hosts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and company once again showed why.
On their postgame show, they lost it over the story that the Los Angeles Police Department was called in to keep the peace when former Clipper Chris Paul and a contingency of Rockets players, including James Harden, visited the Clippers locker room through a secret backdoor entrance after LA’s 113-102 win.
Things got chippy during the game, and Paul and the Rockets were upset with some of Paul’s former teammates, primarily Blake Griffin.
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The LAPD was called in case the confrontation turned physical — which it never did.
This last point struck the TNT hosts, particularly Chuck and Shaq, as hilarious.
“I played in the NBA for 16 years and I’ve been on TV for 18 years and this is the first time time I’ve ever heard of a police presence,” said Barkley, laughing.
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“They got a police presence? Are you kidding me?” he said. “Come on, man.”
LAPD has been called to the scene outside #Clippers locker room. Reportedly, Trevor Ariza, James Harden, and other #Rockets players tried to go after Austin Rivers inside the #ItTakesEverything locker room. Clippers players have been banned from going to #Rockets players area
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) January 16, 2018
Shaq nearly fell off his chair laughing as he tossed a bunch of papers in the air. Then he started riffing on the whole incident
“Hello, police. Chris Paul is trying to beat me up,” said Shaq.
“9-1-1, can I help you?” said Shaq.
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“I’m in the Staples Center, in the back hallway. Three players that play for the Rockets are coming to beat me up,” he added, barely able to get the words out from laughing.
Chris Paul in the secret tunnel at Staples Center tonight pic.twitter.com/hwirVypDo6
— Eagle-Eyed Social Media User Dan Why-Ner (@DanWeiner) January 16, 2018
Ernie Johnson interjected the obvious, that he didn’t think it was the Clippers players that were calling the police, but Chuck and Shaq were on a roll.
People on social media had a lot of fun with it, too.
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chris paul sneaking into the clippers locker room pic.twitter.com/9AVFBrhPci
— nick (@nick_pants) January 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/AustinRivers25/status/953185040501940225
However, while it’s not a police matter, the NBA league office is certainly reviewing the incident, according to reports.
The NBA's investigation into the Clippers-Rockets tomfoolery began late Monday night and continues into today, league sources tell ESPN. There will be no shortage of punished individuals.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
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Fines are expected.
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