‘Inside the NBA’ signs off from TNT as Barkley, Shaq, Smith and Johnson head to ESPN

By TIM REYNOLDS

Ernie Johnson could barely get the words out.

The run of “Inside the NBA” on TNT came to an end on Saturday night after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC next season — and keep Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley together, still doing most shows from Atlanta — but the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one.

“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT,’” Johnson said...