During yesterday’s Game 5 clash between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, Dwight Howard stopped by the set of “NBA on TNT” as a guest analyst. Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson weren’t present for the show, as they were attending the Sports Emmys in New York, so there was some extra attention on Howard.
Unfortunately, that led to an incredibly awkward interview.
It all started with Shaq taking some light-hearted shots on Twitter, immediately after Howard said it was tough on him to continuously be bounced from the playoffs while other teams are winning titles.
@DwightHoward hey dude ,you bet not be fartin in my seat. You kno u need to be over in the CHARLES (NO RING BARKLEY )section #hardenshoot
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) May 11, 2016
Have fun in my seat @DwightHoward pic.twitter.com/hHW3Elbs23
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) May 11, 2016
It didn’t take long for people to realize the way Howard’s TNT appearance was going to go.
This is awkward.
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) May 11, 2016
Then, Charles Barkley started bringing the hard questions like, “why do you think people don’t like you?”
Dwight Howard on Inside the NBA addressing criticism he has faced during his career https://t.co/96hzHdvKri
— TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) May 11, 2016
Howard also discussed his future with Houston and whether he will ultimately decide to opt out of his contract with the team.
Dwight Howard on whether he's decided on opting out of his contract with Houston: https://t.co/HVY9giGeWt
— TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) May 11, 2016
And what about those reports that Howard was “disinterested” in playing with James Harden? Howard seems to view that as a non-issue.
Dwight Howard opens up re: reports he was "disinterested" by playing with James Harden pic.twitter.com/lUM3f7kRkz
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 11, 2016
It was certainly an awkward interview, but props to the crew at TNT for asking Howard some difficult questions. More importantly, kudos to Dwight Howard for sitting in the hot seat and taking everything that was thrown his way.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
