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League: NBASport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: Breaking News

Stephen A. Smith thanks Shaquille O’Neal for less NBA Countdown work

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 10:00 PM

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

Stephen A. Smith thanks Shaquille O’Neal for less NBA Countdown work
Summary

Stephen A. Smith expressed gratitude to Shaquille O’Neal during O’Neal's SiriusXM Radio appearance for his role in the transition of Inside the NBA to ESPN. This shift has resulted in Smith taking a step back from NBA Countdown, allowing him to avoid late-night studio commitments. Smith complimented the Inside the NBA crew for their performance but noted that he is content focusing on First Take. ESPN continues to air NBA Countdown on nights when Inside the NBA is off.

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Latest Updates
  • •Smith joined O’Neal on SiriusXM Radio this week.
  • •Inside the NBA's move to ESPN decreased Smith's studio obligations.
  • •Smith publicly praised the Inside the NBA team for their work.
  • •NBA Countdown remains as ESPN's secondary studio show.
Latest Updates
  • 10:00 PMYahoo Sports — Stephen A. Smith thanks Shaquille O’Neal for saving him from ‘NBA Countdown’
What they're saying
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Inside the NBA joining ESPN meant less Stephen A. Smith on the network’s basketball coverage, and that’s exactly what he wanted. Smith was joined by Shaquille O’Neal on his SiriusXM Radio show this week, where the four-time NBA champion promoted his Dunkman series and discussed LeBron James being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. But before…

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