This Tuesday marks the kickoff of the new season for TNT’s beloved and award-winning show, “Inside the NBA,” along with its crew.

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal are undoubtedly a national treasure in the world of sports broadcasting.

They have seamlessly integrated into the rich culture of the NBA, presenting a delightful mix of basketball insights, serious discussions, humor, and entertainment.

If you’re looking for just one of those elements in your NBA viewing experience, there are other options out there. However, if you value the unique combination they provide, this is the place to be.

Unfortunately, it appears this might be their final season together. TNT, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery, will cease broadcasting NBA games after this season, following an enormous 11-year, $76 billion television agreement signed in July with ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon.

So, we may not see Ernie, Charles, Kenny, and Shaq together after the 2024-25 season, at least it seems that way as the groundbreaking show enters its 35th year.

Most NBA fans, including Commissioner Adam Silver, express regret about this. Even amidst the ongoing legal disputes between Silver’s league and Warner Bros., he shares his sorrow over the potential loss of this show and the implications for its cast.

“That show, in particular, is unique. I have strong ties to everyone on it since their playing days, and Ernie and I have been friends for a long time,” Silver expressed during the NBA Finals in June.

Yet, the league opted for a TV contract that does not involve TNT, and the courts will need to address the lawsuit between Warner Bros. and the NBA (the old joke is that it’s all about lawyers). As we await a resolution, let’s enjoy the time with Ernie, Charles, Kenny, and Shaq.

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Tuesday’s season-opening show will take place in Boston for the Celtics vs. Knicks game. However, during studio days in Atlanta, Ernie Johnson will typically arrive at his office between noon and 1 p.m. ET after driving 80 minutes from the suburbs. On his commute, he might tune into the Avett Brothers, the Hamilton soundtrack, or some uplifting spiritual music, which he commented, “is good for the soul,” during our conversation three years ago.

Outside Johnson’s office, there’s a blackberry bush with a plaque that reads, “If there’s one lesson life has taught me, it’s to welcome the unscripted rather than fear it,” signed by Johnson.

In work and in life.

After becoming a father, Johnson introduced the term “blackberry moments.” This comes from a childhood Little League experience where a baseball went over a fence, and the outfielders lost track of time while picking blackberries—distracted by simple joy and wonder.

“It became a modern-day tale for me: if I’m overly busy, if I don’t take a moment away from whatever task seems urgent—be it my job or whatever—it’s important to seek out those blackberries; otherwise, you could overlook a lot,” Johnson shared.

Barkley describes Johnson as “the nicest person I know.”

Johnson assumes several roles on the show, often dubbed a traffic cop. However, he disagrees with that label, asserting, “A good traffic cop never wants a collision,” as he enjoys the playful exchanges between O’Neal on his right and Smith and Barkley on his left.

Johnson has just the right amount of mischief to balance the various elements that engage the audience. He became the full-time host in 1990-91, the year following the show’s launch, with Smith joining in 1998 and Barkley in 2000, while O’Neal has been part of the team since 2011.

“When you added Chuck to the mix, his attitude was, ‘If the game is terrible, why not talk about something else?’ ” Johnson described. “He introduced the idea that when viewers tune in, they might not get just basketball; often, the off-topic discussions are even more entertaining. … It’s acceptable to have fun, to make jokes at each other’s expense, or to improvise. Chuck showing up in shorts? That’s all part of the fun.”

“I couldn’t fathom preparing for a show where I thought, ‘Tonight, it’s only going to be basketball discussions.’ ”

After Barkley joined the team, Johnson once asked him how long he expected to remain on the show. Barkley responded, “Ernie, I plan to be here three to four years, and then hopefully I’ll take over an NBA team.” Barkley mentioned that for the last seven years, he’s been asked five or six times each year…

Someone joked with me, saying, ‘We’ll only be here for three or four years.’ We both shared a good laugh about it.

The program “Inside the NBA” truly understands its viewers, which greatly contributes to its fame and success. It has received 21 Sports Emmy Awards, while personalities like Johnson and Barkley have each garnered multiple awards—seven and five respectively, for the best studio hosts and analysts. Notably, “Inside the NBA” was the first NBA broadcast to receive the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy honor for the media. For its final season, seasoned producer Tim Kiely is returning from retirement to supervise the show.

Barkley mentioned, “You can’t just focus on basketball to engage regular fans. To entertain the broader audience, you need humor and captivating content. That’s the key element.”

The larger-than-life characters on the show create a dynamic vibe, as they are unafraid to challenge each other and share playful jabs. This playful banter has led to beloved segments like Who He Play For? EJ’s Neat-O Stat of the Night, Gone Fishin’, and Shaqtin’ A Fool.

The cast recognizes that while the games are significant, they are not the center of life and death issues, and they are aware of real-world events. Examples include their heartfelt episode addressing Kobe Bryant’s passing, conversations about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Smith’s emotional walk-off in solidarity with NBA players after Jacob Blake’s shooting, and Johnson’s teammates honoring Johnson’s late son, Michael, who passed away in 2021.

Viewing “Inside the NBA” feels like spending time with friends. Expect laughter, life discussions, some disagreements, a few tearful moments, but overall, a fun atmosphere. Longtime fans cherish their favorite memories, and to celebrate them, there are tentative plans to occasionally take “Inside the NBA” on the road this season—about once a month.

According to David Aldridge from The Athletic, who has made appearances on the show during his tenure with the network, “There’s never been anything quite like ‘Inside the NBA’ in sports media, and its absence will leave a void after next year.”

Looking forward to this season, Barkley expressed his intention: “I aim to make it the best year yet. No matter what happens, it will never be the same moving forward due to various changes. Although Ernie would never switch networks, even if Shaq, Kenny, and I were to join a different network, it simply wouldn’t feel the same.”

“Let’s be real. Even if Ernie joined us, it wouldn’t match the chemistry we have established over 24 or 25 years with the folks at Turner,” he added.

The season premiere of “Inside the NBA” this Tuesday reminds me of a new song by the talented young bluegrass artist Billy Strings titled “The Beginning of the End.”

“So this is the beginning of the end

It’s been a great experience, and I look forward

To seeing you all again

This is the beginning of the end

If there are any friends around

You should gather around a buddy.”

Throughout this season, we’ll reconnect with familiar faces. While the format may change afterward—perhaps across different platforms—chances are we’ll still see them, albeit separately.

So, during the approximately 50 episodes of “Inside the NBA” this season, let’s embrace the sentiment of camaraderie.