On Tuesday's episode of 'Inside the NBA,' the crew got a little uncomfortable when Kenny Smith casually brought up Jay-Z's name, and Charles Barkley made a comment, "probably not a good time."
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For those who don't know, Jay-Z has been thrown into the Diddy conversation, as he has also been facing some sexual-assault accusations.
In view of the context regarding what Smith was saying, they were talking about ESPN TV personality Stephen A. Smith challenging Kenny to a free throw contest.
And the former NBA player (career 82.9% FT shooter), sneered at this idea, considering that Stephen A. seemingly isn't even close to his level.
With this in mind, he tried to make an analogy to compare the different talent levels between him and his challenger.
In doing so, he started to say that would be like Jay-Z having a rap battle with an unknown rapper.
"You think Jay Z, or, or, or..."
Inside the NBA is still the greatest NBA show!
Kenny: "You think Jay-Z”
Barkley: "Probably not a good time right now"
Shaq & EJ 😂😂pic.twitter.com/zxa9jYN9sA— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 11, 2024
Before Kenny finished his sentence, Barkley interrupted and said, "Probably not a good time right now."
This led to Shaquille O'Neal walking off set trying not to laugh.
Then Kenny tried to backtrack and use a different rapper as an example, Kendrick Lamar.
This ain’t a first pitch fellas. I’ll give @TheJetOnTNT a chance in a FT contest — Queens (NY) in the building. I’m beating Chuck. @SHAQ? Why are you even talking? NO CHANCE. @TurnerSportsEJ: I humbly stand down to you, sir. See y’all this Saturday. Love y’all😀 https://t.co/SlKVWTfCIb
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 11, 2024
Ultimately, if Kenny does actually go along with this, the contest was scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 14 in Las Vegas.
.@stephenasmith is set to duel "Inside the NBA" talent in a free throw challenge in Las Vegas on Saturday 👀 pic.twitter.com/RfUfI4ESMJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 11, 2024
All in all, when looking at the free throw challenge, Stephen A. may have more of a chance than people realize.
Recently, the 57-year-old hired a shooting coach, Lethal Shooter, who looks to have turned his whole jump shot around. The question is... is he good enough to beat the 2x NBA champion Kenny 'the Jet' Smith.
Lethal Shooter took Stephen A. Smith to a shooting session and turned him into prime Steph Curry by the end 😭 pic.twitter.com/JqnRZOiqI5
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) November 16, 2024
Considering Kenny's attempted comparison, this may have reminded some people of LeBron James/Wizards' DeShawn Stevenson's beef in 2008.
Stevenson called LeBron overrated, and LeBron responded, "Me replying to DeShawn Stevenson is like Jay-Z replying to Soulja Boy."
12 years ago this week, DeShawn Stevenson called LeBron overrated to which Bron replied “Me replying to DeShawn Stevenson is like Jay-Z replying to Soulja Boy” then Jay-Z dropped a Stevenson diss track over Too Short’s ‘Blow The Whistle’ classic and James TORCHED the Wizards 😤🔥 pic.twitter.com/Kk19tsjAwK
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) April 25, 2020
Related: Footage Shows Fan Confronting LeBron James About 'Diddy Parties' At Rams Vs. Eagles Game
