The NBA media landscape is in an interesting place in the year 2025, and Minnesota Timberwolves fans know it at well as anyone. All you have to do is remind Wolves fans of last year's Western Conference Finals, when Minnesota's series with the Dallas Mavericks was being broadcast on TNT, hosted by their flagship NBA show, 'Inside the NBA.' What seemed like normal coverage of the events took an unexpected turn when Draymond Green joined the show.
It ended with Green taking several seemingly personal shots at Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves in general. Overall, fans were left wondering what on earth Turner Sports was thinking letting a current player on their desk to comment on the conference finals. And then, at a certain point, we all had to remember: 'Inside the NBA' is exactly what it portrayed itself as - a show for entertainment.
This week, with the Timberwolves in Los Angeles ahead of their Thursday night matchup with the Lakers, Chris Finch traveled to the studio to join Colin Cowherd for a show. Going on air with the sports personality, Finch ended up talking a little about 'Inside the NBA' and its impact on basketball culture.
Enjoyed Chris Finch's repsonse regarding Charles Barkley and Inside the NBA as a whole on .@TheHerd this afternoon.
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) February 25, 2025
"They should have a disclaimer for entertainment purposes only."
I can't tell you how often I have said the same thing. Great entertainment value. That's it. pic.twitter.com/nIDAq3FKz1
Finch says 'Inside the NBA' should come with a disclaimer
Cowherd asked Finch if he believes Charles Barkley bothers the players. The answer from the Timberwolves' coach was blunt. "I don't think so," he said. "I would say most people thoroughly enjoy that show for what it is, it's part of the fabric of the NBA. It's irreverent, it's entertaining, they should have a disclaimer: for entertainment purposes only." Cowherd could of course not help but laugh at this comment.
Finch went on to explain more about how 'Inside' is simply part of the NBA's landscape. "I mean, it's part of our league," Finch said. "It's baked into our league, and we love that ... There are some things here and there, I think it's gotten a little personal, it's added a little spice. I know in the playoffs last year, when they had Draymond (Green) on and he was going at Rudy (Gobert). But it added some spice, and it was fine. It all went away quickly. But no one's overly bothered by it."
If Finch is being totally genuine here, then it seems there sure is a lot more fuss about this show outside of the NBA's locker rooms than there is inside of them. Perhaps that speaks to the overall disconnect between the outside perception of this league as compared to the feeling from within.