"Nice try" - Charles Barkley mocks Kenny Smith ranking LeBron James 2nd in his Top 50

It's the final season for "Inside the NBA," and Charles Barkley was already mocking Kenny Smith about his Top 50 players list this season. Barkley wasn't impressed with Smith's decision to put LeBron James at second, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On the first episode of "Inside the NBA" this season on Tuesday, the crew of Barkley, Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Ernie Johnson discussed the former players' Top 50 list. James was at No. 11 on Chuck's list, while he was fifth in Shaq's Top 50.

The LA Lakers star remains one of the best players in the game at age 39, turning 40 in December. However, there's an argument that he's no longer in the top 10, as he only made the All-NBA third team last season.

Here's what Kenny had to say about his list:

"My criteria is how many areas of the game can you dominate. You put that in, and he's the second-best player in all areas of dominating the game. So you take those other guys that go under him. Giannis is the best at dominating in all areas of the game from defensively and offensively, rebounds, assists, leadership, pace of game."

Barkley replied:

"Nice try, though."

According to Bleacher Report, Kenny Smith's top 10 consists of Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. He had Anthony Davis at No. 19 for those who are wondering.

Meanwhile, Charles Barkley's top 10 are Jokic, Doncic, Antetokounmpo, Embiid, Curry, Brown, Tatum, Durant, Gilgeous-Alexander and Davis. He had James at 11th spot.

As for Shaquille O'Neal's list, the top guy is Jokic followed by Antetokounmpo, Doncic, Curry, James, Durant, Embiid, SGA, Edwards and Brown, with Tatum occupying No. 11 and AD at 12th.

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Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson heading into the final year of 'Inside the NBA'

Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson heading into the final year of 'Inside the NBA' (Photo: IMAGN)

Warner Brothers Discovery is trying to salvage its broadcasting rights of the NBA by filing a lawsuit after the league signed a deal with Amazon, Disney and NBC Universal. However, it's still expected that the "Inside the NBA" crew of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson is entering their final season together.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Barkley has no intention of joining another network, and WBD is expected to give him as much air time as possible on other shows. He will continue calling March Madness, as well as other sports like baseball, hockey, golf and even soccer, with the World Cup coming in 2026.

Fans have called for the retention of the show despite the NBA moving on from WBD. "Inside the NBA" has been on the air for 35 years and has been one of the greatest sports shows in television history.