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TNT says NBA player is dead… during middle of playoff game broadcast!?

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The NBA playoffs are underway.

And part of the glory of watching the NBA postseason is the commentary from former players such as Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, who are analysts for TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”

Both are known for the blunt — and often comical — commentary.

But a slip-up during a playoff game broadcast involving the two former stars led to an apology from the network.

It started with Barkley asked if former NBA player Billy Ray Bates was dead.

Bates, still alive at 68 and remembered for his 29-point playoff debut with the Portland Trail Blazers, played three seasons in the NBA from 1980 to 1983. Bates has largely gone unnoticed over the years, until Cleveland Cavs guard Ty Jerome put on a performance that dated back to Bates’ performance.

“Billy Ray Bates was built like a truck,” fellow host and former player Kenny Smith said.

“I wonder if he’s still alive?” Barkley asked. “It’s a fair question!”

“Not on national television!” Smith shot back. “Maybe under your breath. Maybe Google it.”

“Not unless you know the answer,” Johnson added. “You do not need to ask a question like that.”

Making matters worse, O’Neal incorrectly stated that Bates was dead, though he’s alive.

The inaccurate question ultimately forced an apology issued Monday. Ernie Johnson read the statement ahead of the Knicks versus Pistons game:

“We would like to issue a correction and an apology for something that happened last night on Inside the NBA. In the course of our discussion, we passed on some bad information that Billy Ray Bates had passed away.

“While it was inadvertent, it was inaccurate, insensitive, and inexcusable. We apologize to Billy Ray Bates and his family.”

About the Author

Cory Templeman is an experienced writer and researcher who has worked with some of the biggest names in the publishing business. Cory lives in South Carolina with his wife and three kids.