Mike Polk is a bit of an Internet star, after creating a video he calls the "Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video", and TNT actually tabbed him to make one for the Inside the NBA crew. Here is just about the funniest thing you've seen in quite some time....

Now that is entertainment! I think he could have done better on Chuck, but the Kenny part and the "Closer" ending, were both hilarious. Good stuff, but TNT....was it really necessary to bleep out "douchebag"?

'Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism' Video Creator Takes a Moment to Burn TNT (The Sporting Blog)

Here we go again! Another gauntlet has been laid down involving Charles Barkley and a foot race, and this time it's from a colleague. New TBS Analyst, David Wells was working with Chip Caray and Ron Darling, when he decided to announce the challenge. The TNT crew talked about it last night after the Orlando-Boston game, and here is the video....

I dunno about that one, Chuck. You've been killing those Krispy Kremes as of late, and while Wells is certainly no Adonis, I think it might be a closer than you think. Plus it'd be on Wells turf, a Baseball diamond. Let's make it happen!

I myself have failed this challenge, so I knew ahead of time it was unlikely that Charles would complete it. Eating a piece of bread in thirty seconds is virtually impossible, but leave it to Chuck to try it out....

Too funny.

Charles Barkley FAILS the Chris Webber Bread Challenge, video (NESW Sports)

I love when announcers try to sport a goatee. Gus Johnson's was impressive, but no one will ever be able to top Mike Breen's. Although, NBA TV's Ahmad Rashad is giving him a run for his money. Here is Evil Rashad giving you some top ten NBA highlights, while GP and C-Webb squeal in the background!

Man, I had to turn that nonsense on less than halfway through. I certainly enjoy Payton and Webber's zeal, but how about we reel it in a bit guys. Okay? Good.

Video: Top 10 plays of the week (Ball Don't Lie)

I completely missed this during NBA All-Star Weekend, and many thanks for NESW for finding the club, but the rumored dance-off between the Glove and the Jet actually went down late Sunday night. Not only that, but the crew even decided to beatbox for Ernie following Kenny Smith's win. Enjoy!

Pretty impressive if you ask me, and going back to the break dance routine, nets you a win every time. Remember that for the next wedding you go to.

A week ago, I passed along the info that TNT was bringing back Barkley, following his leave of absence, after the All-Star break. Well we have an official date now, and that will be this Thursday. Barkley will be back in studio with Ernie and Kenny, before the network airs their usual pair of games that night. Via TNT....

The TNT lineup includes the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai. Inside the NBA will feature Ernie Johnson (host), Kenny Smith (analyst) and the return of Hall of Famer Charles Barkley (analyst). Barkley has been on a leave of absence from the show to deal with legal and personal issues following an incident on Dec. 31 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“From the beginning, Charles recognized that he used poor judgment. He took full responsibility and apologized for his actions,” said David Levy, President of Turner Sports. “We look forward to having him back in the studio, where Charles will once again share his opinions, insights and humor with colleagues Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith. Collectively, they entertain a huge group of loyal fans that tunes into the NBA on TNT each week.”

While there's no word on if he'll do another sitdown with Ernie Johnson like the one following his gambling issue, it's good to hear that Chuck will be heading back to work. TNT showed how great of an organization they are, in the way they handled this, and hopefully it will be the last time Barkley has to take a leave of absence.

(HT: First Cuts)

I'm not sure why TNT always has to have four bodies on their pregame show, but they've decided to fill Barkley's place for at least tomorrow's show with Mike Fratello. The Czar will join Ernie, Kenny and Chris Webber before the network's pair of games tomorrow night.

TNT NBA Thursday returns on Thurs., January 15 with an action-packed doubleheader. Tipping off the night’s action will be LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the Windy City to battle Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls at 8 p.m. ET. Marv Albert will call the action alongside Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter). The second game of the doubleheader features Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns taking on Chauncey Billups and the Denver Nuggets. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) will be courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting. The night will conclude with the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Ernie Johnson (host), Kenny Smith (analyst), Chris Webber (analyst) and Mike Fratello (analyst).

Fratello is probably as good a candidate as anyone, but I still don't see why there's the need to go with four. Webber is good enough, and experienced enough, to carry the load for the next few Thursdays. Or for however long Barkley will be on leave.

(Via TNT PR)

Inside the NBA has always been extremely random, but this move by C-Webb last night, might just be the most random. Webber decided to give Charles Barkley the Bush "Shoe Treatment" while yelling, "This is for Gene Chizik!".

Hilarious. That look on Barkley's face right before the first shoe is thrown, is priceless. Good times.

Last week it was another announcer, Mark Jackson, who was being talked about in regards to the Knicks. This week it's a TNT analyst who's expressing interest in working for the Front Office of the team. Via Newsday....

“It’s a good possibility,” Smith said during TNT’s pregame show before the Detroit-Philadelphia playoff game.

Smith, who also works part-time on the Knicks’ local broadcasts, could be considered a candidate for general manager or assistant general manager, depending on how Walsh reorganizes the front office.

Smith said he had not spoken directly with Walsh. But he expressed a general interest in working for a team.

“If it’s basketball, in terms of coaching or a general manager or owning a team, that’s me,” Smith said. “If it’s sitting here with you numbskulls, it’s me. Basketball is me. I’m from New York, and that is the epitome of a franchise — the Lakers, the Celtics, the Knicks.”

It would be a shame for TNT to lose yet another key player to a Front Office job (Steve Kerr last year), but Kenny Smith is an extremely intelligent person and could be a good fit for the struggling Knicks. Just like Kerr leaving meant more Reggie Miller, a Smith move could mean more Magic Johnson. Ugh.

On a side note, Chris Webber did a pretty damn good job last night. At one point he said that he wouldn't want to play for the Mavs because no one came to Jason Kidd's aid after the hard foul on Janero Pargo. He said, "Outisde of Jerry Stackhouse, no one would have your back." It looks like he attended Charles Barkley's school of honesty and that's always a good move.

TNT’s Smith Has Interest in Knicks (Newsday)

Immediately following his retirement Chris Webber spent a night on TNT and did a rather impressive job with the gang. Well TNT has officially hired the ex-NBA star and will put him to work in every possible way they can think of....

Webber first laces them up on TNT for a two-day stint on its Emmy Award-winning studio show with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley on Sunday, April 27, and will join Johnson, Smith and Magic Johnson in studio on Monday, April 28. Beginning the week of April 28, Webber will provide weekly playoff analysis and series breakdowns titled The Webb Report on Turner’s broadband channel, TNT Overtime on NBA.com. Finally C-Webb, as Webber is affectionately known, will make numerous appearances on NBA TV throughout the postseason.

“I am excited to begin a new phase of my professional career by joining Turner Sports for their coverage of the NBA Playoffs,” said Webber, a 15-year NBA veteran. “There’s great chemistry between EJ, Kenny, Charles and I and I look forward to sharing that with NBA Fans.”

I think the chemistry line says it all. It's nothing against Webber, who did a good job last time he was in studio, but whenever they add a fourth person to the set it just comes off forced. Hopefully Webber can find his place, but I don't see it happening.

(Via TNT PR)