Knicks head coach Mike Brown used his pregame media time Friday to send love to Ernie Johnson, who announced this week that he’ll step down as host of “Inside the NBA” after the 2026-27 season.
Speaking before New York’s game against the 76ers, Brown said he tries not to watch many basketball shows, but Inside is one he always gets good laughs from, and that Johnson “seems like he’s a big time human being,” as reported by ClutchPoints via SNY.
“We’re gonna all miss you, but thanks for doing what you do to make people smile everyday,” Brown said.
The End of an Era
Johnson, 70, announced the decision Wednesday in a video on social media, per Field Level Media. “It’s just time,” he said. He’s in his 37th season hosting the show, which moved from TNT to ESPN and ABC last season. He isn’t fully retiring and will keep working, including on CBS and Turner Sports’ NCAA men’s tournament coverage. He has also cited heart issues in recent years.
The IAHHM Take
Inside the NBA is the barbershop of sports TV. EJ has been the host since 1990, Kenny Smith became a permanent panelist in 1998, Charles Barkley in 2000 and Shaq in 2011. Through every argument, bet and Gone Fishin’ segment, Ernie was the one keeping the chaos on schedule, and the one who could make it real when life got heavy.
When an active coach who admits he avoids basketball shows still tunes in for that crew, that says everything. Players-turned-personalities like Gilbert Arenas run a lot of the conversation now, but nobody has matched the chemistry EJ held together. And with Barkley saying in September that he expects this to be his last season too, 2026-27 could be the final lap for the whole crew.
What’s your all-time favorite Inside the NBA moment?
Sources: ClutchPoints, Field Level Media
