It was a night like any other in Studio J. The playoffs were heating up, the fans were buzzing, and the Inside the NBA crew was in rare form. Ernie Johnson was prepping his cue cards, Kenny “The Jet” Smith was practicing his sprint to the big board, Charles Barkley was already talking trash about the Suns, and Shaquille O’Neal—well, Shaq was up to something.
The show was famous for its blend of sharp basketball analysis and hilarious hijinks, but nothing could have prepared the crew or the audience for what would soon become the most talked-about moment of the season.
The Build-Up
That night, Shaqtin’ A Fool, the show’s signature blooper segment, was set to air its “Best of the Season” countdown. The studio was electric. Clips of missed dunks, wild passes, and defensive lapses had everyone in stitches. The crew took turns roasting the players—and each other.
But as the countdown reached number one, Ernie leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye. “And now, the number one Shaqtin’ moment of the year,” he announced, pausing for dramatic effect, “is actually a number two.”
The studio erupted in laughter before the clip even rolled. Shaq’s face turned a shade of red that matched the TNT logo.
The Incident
It had happened a few weeks earlier, during a commercial break. The show was running long, and Shaq had downed one too many energy drinks. As the cameras cut away, he felt a rumble in his stomach—a warning sign he’d ignored too many times before.
At first, he tried to play it cool. He adjusted in his chair, cracked a few jokes, and even joined in on a heated debate with Charles about who was the greatest rebounder of all time. But the rumble grew louder, and soon, beads of sweat formed on his brow.
Kenny noticed first. “Yo, big fella, you alright?” he whispered.
Shaq nodded, but his eyes told a different story. He was in trouble.
As the break ended and the red light on the camera blinked, Shaq realized he had mere seconds to avoid disaster. With a burst of speed that belied his size, he leapt from his chair and sprinted off the set, nearly knocking over a cameraman in the process.
The Aftermath
The crew was left stunned. Charles burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. Ernie tried to keep a straight face, but even he couldn’t resist the absurdity. Kenny, ever the instigator, chased after Shaq with a microphone, narrating the scene like a play-by-play announcer.
Backstage, Shaq frantically searched for the nearest bathroom. He flagged down a production assistant—Craig—who pointed him in the right direction. But the journey felt endless. Every step was a battle against time and gravity.
Finally, he made it. As the door closed behind him, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the studio. Shaq had survived, but the legend was just beginning.
The Revelation
Word spread quickly. By the next segment, Shaq was back on set, a sheepish grin on his face. He tried to brush it off, but Charles wouldn’t let him off the hook.
“You alright, big man? Need a new pair of drawers?” Charles teased, sending the studio into hysterics.
Shaq, never one to back down, owned the moment. “Hey, when it’s running down your leg, you gotta call Craig. Diarrhea, man. Diarrhea,” he declared, mimicking his frantic plea for help.
The phrase became an instant classic. “Call Craig” and “diarrhea” trended on Twitter. Fans flooded the show’s social media with memes, gifs, and jokes. Shaq’s bathroom emergency had become the stuff of legend.
Shaqtin’ Immortality
When the time came to assemble the “Best of the Season” episode, there was no debate. Shaq’s bathroom dash was the unanimous choice for number one. The editors replayed the moment in slow motion, set it to dramatic music, and even added cartoon sound effects for good measure.
As the clip aired, the crew lost it. Charles was doubled over, tears streaming down his face. Kenny was gasping for air between laughs. Ernie, ever the professional, tried to regain control, but even he had to admit—it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen on set.
Shaq, for his part, embraced his new status as the king of bathroom emergencies. He even started selling “Call Craig” t-shirts, with proceeds going to charity.
The Fans’ Perspective
For fans, the moment was a reminder of why they loved Inside the NBA. It wasn’t just about basketball. It was about friendship, humility, and the willingness to laugh at yourself—even when millions were watching.
Parents joked about it with their kids. College students recreated Shaq’s dash in dorm hallways. Social media was flooded with parodies and tributes. The phrase “when it’s running down your leg, call Craig” became a cultural touchstone, shorthand for life’s most urgent emergencies.
The Crew Reflects
In the weeks that followed, the crew couldn’t resist bringing up the incident. Every time Shaq tried to offer serious analysis, Charles would interrupt with a sly, “You sure you don’t need a bathroom break, big fella?”
Even Ernie got in on the act, slipping “number two” references into his intros. Kenny coined a new segment: “Shaq’s Bathroom Breaks,” where fans submitted their own embarrassing stories for a chance to win show merchandise.
Through it all, Shaq remained a good sport. “Hey, everybody’s got a story,” he said. “Mine just happened to be on live TV.”
The Legacy
Years from now, when fans look back on the golden age of Inside the NBA, they’ll remember the big games, the heated debates, and the unforgettable moments of friendship. But above all, they’ll remember the night Shaq ran for his life—and made everyone laugh in the process.
Because in the end, it wasn’t just about basketball. It was about being human, sharing a laugh, and knowing that even the biggest legends have to answer nature’s call.
And as Shaq himself would say, “When it’s running down your leg, you call Craig. Diarrhea, man. Diarrhea.”
