Charles Barkley Kicking It with Ernie Johnson in 1992

May 12, 1992 - Charles Barkley's Philadelphia 76ers finished just 35-47 in 1992, meaning Chuck was on the outside looking in for the duration of the '92 playoffs. As such, he joined Ernie Johnson in the TNT studios midway through the second round for one of his first (if not THE first) on-air guest spots.
Noticeably more soft-spoken, here Barkley discusses his future with the 76ers. One month later, he was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang. Barkley led the Suns to the NBA Finals his first year with the club, where his team lost in six games to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
A special thanks to the ineffable Hardwood and Hoops.

[@thedangerwich5476]

That early 90s media style is very cool.

[@lucasloucetios164]

Absolutely !

[@TheAutumnWind_RN4L]

Yep.

[@bubbabear244]

Lofi and modest objectivity

[@TyroneNBAFan]

Yep. It was professional. Before Skip and Stephen A. made it a clown show.

[@deflategate1297]

Agreed just straight to the point and not trying to look hip and relatable to everyone

[@scarletrobin]

Good lord I'm not used to Chuck being so soft-spoken and serious. But this just shows that even though he's willing to play a clown he's always been a well-spoken thoughtful guy

[@fattaman777]

Off the court, he was quiet as a young man. On the court, it's well-known he was more "outspoken", let's say. 😅

[@ramsesstafford4640]

If you my age 46 and older you remember this Charles Barkley very well.

[@smittywerbenjagermanjensen320]

He just wants to make people happy

[@fateriddle14]

It's more about he's at a depressing situation at the time, at the point of getting traded by 76ers and having a lot of self doubt even about his own ability as a basketball player and leader

[@dickensanthony]

"Well-spoken"? Do you people say the same thing about Tom Brady's early interviews?

[@theunthinkable1021]

I'm not believing my eyes seeing both young Ernie and Chuck.

[@tloc243]

You call Ernie young?😂

[@antonwendesten7857]

@@tloc243 He was like 35 yrs old in this clip. He looks a lot older

[@tloc243]

@@antonwendesten7857 oh yea he looks like he's in his upper 40s here

[@Pasan34]

That's Sir Charles to you. At least back then.

[@dismantledbrain5910]

@@tloc243 A receding hairline does that to a man..

[@RobsRetroGaming]

32 years ago.!They should play this clip on NBA on TNT today, just to get some laughs! LOL

[@user-nk6dc2wk6p]

i seconded!! should make them all lol'ed!

[@SHANKDAWGBABY]

They have already and pf course shaq had a field day mocking chucks voice. Lol

[@IAMU.D.]

They already did comment this after 10 years again lol 😅

[@Metsfan7232]

Shaq will be holding up those four fingers for Charles to see.

[@Kube_Dog]

Seeing young Ernie and young Charles... and knowing that together they weigh less than Charles today.

[@TexanInItaly]

POV: You're watching Charles Barkleys job interview.

[@ramuelcruzada3207]

Hahaha right...

[@Irena1106]

Nailed it

[@DiscopediaTheBoogieMan]

Whats great is that it truly shows the charisma and honesty that has been a hallmark of, as my dad with a thick Boston accent, “Chahhhhhlie Bahhhhkley”

[@jethrojacinto2798]

For TNT or Phoenix? 😂

[@MadeForD]

@@jethrojacinto2798 both? both. both is good

[@nutsbutdum]

Ernie Johnson was 36 years old in this clip. Wow!

[@MrKijana23]

Was he??!! Dang that's some highway miles he got on him..

[@ROSH1503]

Bruh 36 was different back in the 90s. Lawd!

[@wh_aviation8411]

@@ROSH1503 It seems like all the ages back then were different.....

[@DV-ou1yu]

​@@ROSH1503lmfao FACTS

[@only1jamesp]

36 looking like he’s 46, he looks younger now. Barkley only 29.

[@charlesjones6708]

Ernie said, "we'll be back in a minute". 32 years later they are still there. That's a lot of minutes.

[@TheAfricanPie]

Lol

[@TheGoobler]

Roughly 16,827,840 minutes give or take! 😃🤯

[@charlesjones6708]

@@TheGoobler Lot of minutes Goobler.

[@TheGoobler]

@@charlesjones6708 Precisely Charles.

[@HostileTakeover88]

Gets traded to the Suns and gets MVP the next year.

[@jordanhutton5787]

After leading the Dream Team in scoring at '92; Olympics as well

[@maojordan23]

And still... no title. In today's basketball Barkley of 89-90 could be on track for debates on Goats. Conversely, Mr. Lebron James playing in the 90s would just be forever second (if not third, or fourth). Can anyone try to guess the defence of the Pistons on Lebrpon James? They would get also his beard by the end of the game :D

[@mikeyslots_]

​@maojordan23 lebron would definitely still be a great player in the 80's and 90's, but I can guarantee you this, he's not playing 21 seasons😂. Those Detroit boys were out to genuinely hurt you

[@Gri03]

And yet no ring for him.

[@fmbbeachbum8163]

@@maojordan23 LeBron has made the game look easy and the Pistons would've hated that & tried to k!ll him.

[@MannyMensah94]

A prelude of great things to come with Charles Barkley and TNT.

[@emceesmith6665]

It's kind of like Chuck telling Ernie and the network what they'll get if they hire him. Like, I'll bring the laughs, but people are gonna get pissed off, and I won't change for them. And Ernie has been rolling with it for decades.

[@unoriginalname6354]

Despite how different this interaction feels compared to their Inside the NBA work, you could already see the chemistry and rapport between the two.

[@MoralesCorner]

Here's where it all started. They have certainly come a long way. Both of this men are legendary. The NBA would not be received the same way without them

[@fentanyljones6956]

Hopefully they don’t blow it w/ the new tv deal.

[@Ivanselectsongs]

these*

[@guppy90rl81]

True

[@agumonplayzz2490]

​@@Ivanselectsongs what are you talking about?

[@Kube_Dog]

Basketball has 2.1% of the TV audience. Without Inside the NBA, it would be 1.3%. Take away inner city viewers, it's 0.16%. Basketball is dead.

[@xMontorix]

My boy Chuck was playing the long game with this.

[@fabricealluma7236]

Ernie's voice is legendary

[@ChaseRiver2]

Ernies voice got higher and chucks got deeper 😂

[@alfgrebs6172]

That's what happens when you get older.

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

This is truly golden era footage.

[@orthotech9758]

It's crazy to think that just about 6 weeks later Shaq would be the #1 pick in the draft. I was in 11th grade when this aired. Man I'm getting old .

[@Yevvvvvy]

and I ain't even alive! Fricking sperm in a ball!

[@johnholmes2745]

How old are you now? Pushing 50 grandpa

[@Illtechnica]

My older siblings was a HS Junior as well. I was a Freshman in HS. It's like we were there just yesterday and 32 years flew by in the blink of an eye.

[@nizoladehomu382]

I would be born a year later☹️

[@MrOneanddone91]

Old ass

[@tiff3174]

"A hack is a foul"

[@mcnalga]

A hack is a fouw

[@CarlosMaldonado83]

I was just thinking that lmao

[@MultiHarryboii]

“Physical is something else”

[@gamerschannel9610]

You could say what you want about Charles Barkley but he hasn't changed one bit. As authentic as it gets

[@YogSoth]

Hasn’t changed? He’s changed a lot, just like anyone (worthwhile anyway) changes from when they are 29 to when they are 64. He’s definitely an authentic guy, but he’s also definitely not the same person today that he was when he was in his twenties.

[@Al.j.Vasquez]

His explanation of why his future in Philadelphia was unclear was incredible, I'm not sure you could've taken this badly if you were a 76ers fan back then.

[@moses0686]

Great questions by Ernie great, honest answers by Charles

[@dragomirmarinov3891]

This is actually an excellent interview.

[@fnregistration]

This is a great clip. Chuck just being straightforward, not a BS artist or cliché machine.

[@k.c.r.5974]

Primed out Ernie and Sir Chuckles. The year of the Dream Team. Barkley ends up in Phoenix and almost winning the NBA championship. I wish he did. If only he had Stockton his entire career. Love Sir Chuckles!

[@ThreeLions82]

I always liked Ernie he tries his best to stay impartial. A good majority of the media can't seem to get that.

[@tjadenekan]

This man was born to be a tv commentator.

[@BSmokeyGaming]

Just looking at the body language of both Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, this is definitely a match made in heaven. Charles Barkley eventually joined Ernie Johnson on TNT for basketball coverage. TNT should show this in the future just for fun on NBA pregame/postgame show on TNT.

[@jpineapple9495]

"Charles Barkley eventually joined Ernie Johnson on TNT for basketball coverage." Bro are you an AI?

[@blakfloyd]

@@jpineapple9495 Considering that like 80% of reels have "bro" in the caption, you sound like AI too lmao.

[@jpineapple9495]

@@blakfloyd i am

[@marvin7533]

Ernie with notes in a binder.

[@Phil-S8]

Hey Chuck, what about those women in San Antonio? 😅

[@WyWid]

Let’s keep it classy hear

[@malcorub]

Rookie Shaq pops in, "say it again Chuck!"

[@kdm374]

Victoria is definitely a secret there

[@FunkyBandana]

Them churros all the way!

[@Christian3174]

Those big ol women 😅

[@pete2659]

Chuck is a special man I appreciate him so much

[@theOnyFUFU]

Chuck went through puberty. Lol...His voice is so much deeper now than it was back then

[@bandito241]

It’s called decades of smoking and hard liquor

[@vicarious_gaming]

Dude was 30 😂

[@goblue193]

Your voice gets deeper as you age

[@WyWid]

Chuck is soft spoken, but he’s very good at articulating his words. Classy

[@RoyPage1970]

I remember watching this on TV when it premiered

[@tevinsherrill5653]

How it all began. I really hope Chuck doesn't take up a job with LIV Golf...

[@chefjeff1366]

oh man, proof that Ernie is the GOAT

[@Pz12345]

That video was sooo cool. Thanks for uploading.

[@tukiluka]

2:09 “…well number one…” ❤

[@guppy90rl81]

Imagine a world where Barkley becomes a coach and wins an nba championship. That would be awesome.

[@RoyPage1970]

He has no interest in that

[@ASJyirod]

End up knocking an entitled player young enough to be his child out cold

[@BPIII71]

I would stay glued to se both things happen!!! ⬆️

[@nkosimathurin4971]

This is a fantastic interview!

[@playlists8029]

This video just makes me miss my Sonics, RIP 2008.

[@DurdensVision]

For real. They'll be back soon.

[@samsneadd]

Rip from I still rep all the time. I met Shaq about 10 years ago and had my #40 on out here in AZ. Shaq was like the Reign man? Shocked that I was wearing his jersey. I said that is my home I will always rep. I am a Blazers fan now since it was across the i5. But will always miss the Sonics.

[@juzzytin86]

Damn this is a great interview by Sir Charles

[@Anthony-nd6vk]

I thought Chuck was way younger than 29 here…easy to forget how long he was with the 76ers

[@cityhawk]

Two points: 1) The Sixers were never going to build a title contender around Charles. 2) They were never going to get past the Bulls, and the Sixers front office and coaching staff were content with that. I could see why he wanted out of Philly.

[@BrooklynBalla]

@@cityhawk Ya those Sixers teams really stagnated at that point with no hope in sight.

[@cityhawk]

@@BrooklynBalla It looks like much hasn't changed in Philly. Content in being “fine” or “just good”. That's how you get complacent.

[@Anthony-nd6vk]

@@cityhawk I’m not saying he shouldn’t Haven’t wanted out, it’s just easy to forget (for me at least) he was there for 8 whole seasons. The picture of Chuck, the player, in my head defaults to him as a Sun.

[@jactarawadley6037]

I remember nba on TNT in the early 90s it's nice. Good memories.

[@Viserysrule3]

This a gold…love Ern and Chuck

[@PatrickForrest-pv4wv]

Back when Charles was in shape and the toughest man in the NBA.

[@justins6960]

This video is older than Charles is here

[@EriksJourney]

“Take the game back to the ghetto” I love Charles for that!

[@travisscranton1059]

Our first “well first off”

[@keronwindley4950]

Now he just says “First of all”

[@Xscape128]

Ernies been at it for a long time

[@fredflux2738]

Ernie did a great job with teenage Chuck, great father.

[@LilAlpo1]

This interview here in 1992 talking about the Sixers and how they're not that great, and just a year later, he would be going up against Michael and the Bulls in the NBA Finals with the Suns

[@andrewcomments5812]

That was Charles 'I'll Never Go Out With Madonna Again' Barkley 😂

[@Clippers2024]

Bruh those 90s cameras made Charles look two shades darker

[@fentanyljones6956]

This is a treat

[@zephiin]

Earnie really raised these dudes up in broadcasting after their playing careers 🤯 This clip shows how poor chuck started. You watch him now and wouldn’t believe these are the same people

[@hebrew984]

That's because the new guy is a clone 😂

[@DV-qx8hn]

You're a clone ​@@hebrew984

[@DannyP-dm1pw]

@@hebrew984 You internet nerds with the clone conspiracy stuff. If Barkley was cloned he'd be a baby growing up all over again. Just like how people say Eminem is a clone. If they cloned him in 2005 like peopel say than Eminem would be 19 today. Stop smoking weed and get common sense. Sadly you're probably over 30 and didn't get out of that high school mentality. They would have to decide the second Charles was born they would clone and kill him off back in 1963 or whatever.

[@nelsonkaran7340]

Golden! Pure gold from the 90s

[@MrEllipsis423]

This is mind blowing at this point

[@somedudefromTX]

I've never been a fan of any team Charles played with but I still think it's a bummer he never won a ring

[@gridironthrowback2834]

1992: "We should take the game to the ghetto where it started." 2024: "Oops"

[@HumanOptimization]

lol what a moronic thing to say. the game originated in a school yard in canada LOL

[@stardemonspacecat]

That's Chuck... always keepin' it 💯 !!!

[@jonathanbaird8109]

Ah, classic Chuck and his "a hack is a foul" voice

[@jockflock8944]

You can see on-screen chemistry all those years back.

[@masonjones1812]

Cool to watch...Ernie was still the same as he now just younger obviously. It's funny how younger Chuck wasn't more jokey like he is now lol...but he was an active player then. No bs...had a "straight to the point mentality" Btw...since you found this, you need to find a young Kenny and young Ernie clip now.

[@Swove2204]

I got you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3_Whn9urLeJZqs

[@bilogskii2216]

Chuck always had a great sense of humor. He's just serious here because it's a formal set up. And he doesn't know Ernie on a personal level yet so he's a little stiff too.

[@user-ow7qv8nq6t]

He wasn't a role model.

[@deflategate1297]

@@user-ow7qv8nq6the is human like us

[@Samsaraindo]

I was 9 and remember watching this!

[@user-wm2xi2cn8s]

Incredible that they've know each other over 30 years and are still working together. They're like family man. Sad to see the show is ending and NBC will have the basketball games instead of TNT. Hope these guys do another show.

[@furnitureconsortium]

Not a done deal yet Remember, WBD has the contractual option to match any offer that NBC proposes.

[@askimbalim11]

Wow!! 30 years ago & still working together.

[@IamNotTrey]

Chuck was playing in the league.

[@majorkade]

About ten years before this, I stood next to CB in Auburn while watching Herschel Walker run the last leg of the 4x100 for the Dawgs against the Tigers. Barkley was a fresh or soph. I was a kid. I have this photo on my blog. 😃

[@EdPattermann]

Great questions Ernie. Boy KZbin is great!

[@warmunky3797]

Yo Ernie! I'm from the Future! And I've travelled back in time to let you know that in the future you and Chuck are gonna be Best Buds and broadcasting together telling us all what you think of the week in Basketball! Keep doin what you're doin, u guys are ON POINT!! :) Big Love!

[@1gloomyDAY]

Read that in Chuck's voice.

[@wadjay1117]

That old school professional act is gone from commentary. Ernie still keeps it professional, but here he is very formal. It’s crazy how our times changed. I could understand why this style faded for the modern style of behavior from the journalists/pundits.

[@forsaken7976]

Society in general regressed

[@patrickwickett1787]

Man this is great.

[@MOCdude]

Two legends in the basketball world

[@andmyAlex]

Everyone used to talk different on TV. Crazy to see these two now & then

[@drampagrampa]

Legendary

[@IDontBuyIt50]

The single greatest year in world history, oh to go back.

[@NeW758]

Wow 92!!

[@GoatedAtNFS]

and now Inside the NBA is about to end its tenure. sad times ahead

[@Tyler-hk4wo]

I was born in the mid 80s and grew up in the 90s mostly and even I forgot how old school everything looked.

[@cmair77]

Wow, nice seeing them as young men

[@hood_TheJoker]

damn this is old.. I was still in high school holy cow

[@JCreole]

32 years ago seems like yesterday

[@mariahyohannes]

Sir Charles was serious as a young man a little shy. He’s definitely mellowed out sfter retiring

[@CaptainBenjamins]

Could you imagine Commisioner Adam Silver taking a sabbatical for a year and giving the job to Charles Barkley for just 12 months

[@TaguroSuper]

0:30 Chuck was sent to the Phoenix Suns after this playoffs.

[@LeadersOfAFreeMind]

I’m watching this while inside the nba is playing. Chuck speaks like an entirely different person. The cadence, the projection, phrasing, it’s all different. What a trip.

[@deflategate1297]

Prob needed to break into the media world

[@simonkim8646]

I picture tv broadcasts back in the day to be aimed at white suburbanites, but this aired before I was born so what do I know

[@davidjosh5640]

The vestiges! Translucent, slowly fading beyond the capacity of the cameras to capture. Ernie’s top hair.

[@johnclaudetaylor5224]

Dude the nostalgia kicks in man, I was a little kid watching all kinds of sports to cheesey intro graphics and music back then, good times

[@jasonfrye8790]

Same! The nostalgia kicks hard! Takes you right back! Great times for sure!

[@PrimitivElement]

God damn these are some sharp young fellas

[@benjamintaylor5025]

Young Ernie Johnson looks like Peter Jennings.

[@rainwolf1987]

Or Leroy Jenkins

[@benjamintaylor5025]

@@rainwolf1987 come on you know goddamn well he doesn't look like Leroy Jenkins. Get out of here that stupid ass joke.

[@69ISH1]

Right??!!? 😂😄😁😎

[@keronwindley4950]

Great throw back video of Young Chuck and Ernie,.. I wonder what Charles Barkley’s response would’ve been if Ernie Johnson had asked what’s it like when Sixers go to San Antonio to play the Spurs? 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@jaakkoeskola2871]

Still awaiting for Chuck's no.2s🤔🤔🤔 This was definitely a prologue of an amazing steamroom relatioship!

[@keyhimself3542]

If Toy Story ever makes a movie human actors(tress), Chuck better get the Mr Potato Head role

[@estebanb7166]

That would be incredible. You need a casting job asap.

[@lebronjames-oo8gg]

Pin this pls

[@oneironaut.indigo]

Steve Harvey

[@AnimeMusicProfessor]

35 year old Ernie Johnson with 29 year old Charles Barkley!

[@Syhbw]

Chuck was pretty intense back then.

[@Altered-Beast]

Elevator Ernie & Round Mound all the way through to Chuck & Ernie 😂

[@monroepeterson6695]

This is right before trade to Phoenix.

[@babytigtig3795]

I miss the 90s

[@bballjj18]

That mega man x style outtro tho 🔥

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

Hard to believe these guys are still working together in 2024. A shame they're run will end in 2025.

[@jmass89ify]

Wow!

[@AngelNoriega1]

Someone needs to go back in time and tell Ernie to call him “Chuckster”

[@diha9004]

Chuck: "I kind of like this TV thing - could do this for a living"