the cast and crew of NBA Countdown included Stephen A. Smith, Malika Andrews, Adrian Wojnarowski, Michael Wilbon, and Perkins, of course. Notably, Wilbon and Perkins were pretty close to one another.

ESPN’s going to have several nights of games, so it’s not gonna threaten Countdown. Good!” said Wilbon, who’s co-written two books about Barkley. Would TNT and the Inside the NBA cast want ...