Kenny Smith Turns 61, Inside the NBA Crew Roasts Him

Kenny Smith Turns 61, Inside the NBA Crew Roasts Him

The iconic trio of Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley gathered on ‘Inside the NBA’ to celebrate a milestone birthday for their colleague, Kenny Smith. But true to form, the festivities were less about heartfelt tributes and more about good-natured ribbing and hilarious gift-giving, as Kenny officially joined the 61-year-old club.

Birthday Boy Kenny Smith Gets the ‘Inside the NBA’ Treatment

As Ernie Johnson pointed out the historical significance of the date – 61 years ago in NBA history – the focus quickly shifted to Kenny. Barkley, ever the jester, quipped, “He’s 61. You looking good, too.” Shaq chimed in with a welcoming, “Welcome to the club.” Kenny, however, felt a pang of disappointment, “What’s the point of having rich friends if they don’t get you gifts? I might as well go back in the hood.” His plea for better presents was met with a cascade of gag gifts.

A Parade of Questionable Presents

The ‘gifts’ began with what Kenny described as “corn chips” or “corn nuts,” a recurring theme of Shaq’s giving. Then came items sourced from the green room: green tea, and a pool stick, a jab at Kenny’s alleged poor performance in a recent game of pool. A movie poster for ‘Got the Juice’ was presented, followed by a picture of Kenny himself, apparently stolen from the green room desk. The final gag gift was a pair of headphones, met with Kenny’s exasperated, “This is ridiculous, man.” Shaq then presented Kenny with a cash gift, “Chuck bucks,” which Kenny playfully acknowledged as “real money.” Barkley, however, seemed unimpressed, stating, “If you bought me a $300 gift, I’m still mad at you. My poor friends bought me $300 gifts.”

Looking Back at 61 in Sports

The conversation briefly turned to the significance of the number 61 in sports history. While Roger Maris was mentioned for his iconic home run record, the NBA connection brought up the obscure fact that very few players have worn the number 61. The panel recalled a young player from the Warriors, and a mention of Pat Spencer, who apparently also received a gift from Kenny recently.

Lakers’ Struggles and Offensive Woes

The mood shifted to basketball analysis as the Lakers’ current standing was discussed. “They’re only a game on the wash side out of the four spots,” Ernie noted. Barkley, never one to shy away from a strong opinion, declared, “We’re not contractually obligated. You’re acting like they’re the way better than Charlotte. They’re way better than the dream team.” However, he quickly backtracked, “We’re not contractually obligated. They’re not a good team. I know we have to act like they’re a good team every time. They’re not a great team. They’re a good team. Stop it. They’re solid. They’re not a contender.”

The discussion then delved into the Lakers’ offensive struggles, particularly their three-point shooting. “Neither one of these teams is shooting a good percentage from three. That it one team is three for 15, one’s six for 19,” Barkley observed. He criticized the team’s lack of a “plan B” when shots aren’t falling, suggesting, “Let’s take the ball to the basket or something.” The panel also touched on the Cavaliers’ lack of energy in a recent game, leading to a deficit that they couldn’t overcome.

De’Andre Ayton Under Fire

The halftime highlights brought De’Andre Ayton into the spotlight, and not in a flattering way. Despite Carl Anthony Towns putting up a solid 10 points and 7 rebounds, Ayton’s stat line was dismal: 2 points, 4 rebounds in 12 minutes, hitting his only shot. Shaq, never one to mince words, stated, “Damn. How many rebounds?” Barkley added, “Got two more points than me and Shaq.” The panel questioned Ayton’s effort and focus. “You have to stay focused. And this right here, you just set that pick hard and you roll. You can get that five, six, seven times a game,” Barkley critiqued. He urged Ayton to “demand the ball” and show more effort, lamenting, “He needs a lot more effort to be a complete player.” Barkley concluded, “When you’re on the floor with two Hall of Famers, you going to be the third option. I don’t care how good you are.”

LeBron’s Age and Injury Woes

The conversation then turned to LeBron James and his age. Ernie inquired, “What was wrong with him today?” Barkley responded with a diagnosis that drew chuckles: “Arthritis.” He elaborated on the absurdity of a 41-year-old player being listed with arthritis, suggesting, “Sore left foot would be great.” The panel agreed that listing “arthritis” on an injury report for an aging superstar is less than ideal.

A Birthday Wish and a Final Roast

As the show wrapped up, the birthday wishes for Kenny resumed, with a humorous suggestion that the duct-taped jacket Kenny was wearing would have made a great 61st birthday present. The crew then discussed the optional hood on Shaq’s merchandise, with Barkley suggesting a “two for one” deal. The playful banter, the insightful basketball analysis, and the undeniable chemistry between the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew made for another memorable episode, all centered around Kenny Smith’s 61st birthday.

Source: Celebrating Kenny Smith’s Birthday 🎂 Funniest Inside the NBA Moments | March 8th, 2026 (YouTube)