Charles Barkley Cramped Up on ‘Inside the NBA’ and Needed a Massage From Shaq

In Friday’s Hot Clicks: “Inside the NBA” after dark, the Warriors’ Juan Toscano-Anderson reflects on his first full-time NBA contract and more.

“Damn, take me to dinner”

After midnight, Inside the NBA, already the most surreal studio show in sports, devolves into complete absurdity. Thursday night was a classic example.

Following Chris Paul’s interview at the conclusion of the thrilling Suns-Blazers game, Charles Barkley’s hamstring cramped up on him and he sprung out of his chair to try to shake it out. Shaquille O’Neal, sensing his colleague could use a little help, got up and started massaging Chuck’s upper thigh.

The progression of Shaq’s facial expressions is priceless. He goes from looking totally confused as to what’s happening, to mildly concerned, to laughing his ass off.

Of course, this being Inside the NBA, the moment led to several minutes of Ernie, Chuck and Shaq cracking jokes about the impromptu physical therapy session.

“Damn, take me to dinner,” Barkley said.

“Anybody got a pack of smokes?” Johnson added.

“The only thing I’m missing is the blue glove, huh?” Shaq said. “Chuck, this is gonna hurt me more than it's gonna hurt you.”

We’re used to seeing Shaq and Chuck antagonize each other on the show (how many times have you seen O’Neal glare across that big table at Barkley and say, “I’ll knock your ass out”?), but they really are buddies. 

The best of SI

How the 2021 NFL schedule came together. ... College football teams are in a race to get their players vaccinated before training camp begins. ... A year and a half ago, Cam Payne looked like he was on his way out of the NBA. Now he’s a key contributor for a good Suns team. 

Around the sports world

Brewers starter Corbin Burnes set a new MLB record by striking out 58 batters before issuing his first walk of the season. ... Jerry West is really insulted that Jeanie Buss left him off her list of the five greatest Lakers ever. ... The Heat are retiring their Miami Vice alternate uniforms. ... The Pac-12 went outside the box and hired an executive from MGM resorts to be its next commissioner. 

Udonis Haslem saw the floor for the first time all year and promptly got ejected

A game-saving throw is so cool

Oakland native Juan Toscano-Anderson got a life-changing contract

That’s one downside to having fans back in the stands

You don’t want to get under Jimmy Butler’s skin

He’s so good

Strength, finesse: Erling Haaland has it all 👀

(via @ESPNFC)pic.twitter.com/YS0wWjYbpU

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 13, 2021

Good effort

Look forward to five months of talking about this game

Tom Brady, Sr.: "We expect to beat the Patriots rather handily."

via @ZoandBertrand pic.twitter.com/32Sf605rkA

— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) May 13, 2021

Gutsy

This is a solid vaccination perk

This one is even better

Not sports

The man who invented the Post-it note died at age 80. ... Nokia’s relaunched 2720 flip phone is getting released in the U.S. ... A person who filled the back of their Hummer with gas cans amid panic-buying in Florida had the truck burst into flames right by the gas station.

Getting a laugh out of the Dalai Lama has to be the proudest moment of this guy’s life

A good song

(Just a quick note: No Hot Clicks on Monday. I’m going away for a long weekend.)

Email dan.gartland@si.com with any feedback or follow me on Twitter for approximately one half-decent baseball joke per week. Bookmark this page to see previous editions of Hot Clicks and find the newest edition every day. By popular request I’ve made a Spotify playlist of the music featured here. Visit our Extra Mustard page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories.