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“Within the NBA” mourn the unexpected death of Crew member: “We were all shocked”

“Within the NBA” mourn the unexpected death of Crew member: “We were all shocked”

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The “Inside the NBA” crew completed its Pregame show on Thursday with a dark tone and mourned the unexpected death of the stage hand Kevin Thomas. He was 70 years old.

With many crew members behind them, the hosts Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, all of which of Thomas' character and effect on the show, spoke glowing next year on the way to ESPN.

“Inside the NBA” is loved both because of its straight analysis and humor, and it was made very clear that Thomas was an important contribution to the latter, with a role playing his appearances on the screen in a series of sketches.

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Barkley's reflection on the loss of Thomas:

“Death is so suddenly. As if you are with someone one day, you get the call the next day that you are gone and you are like 'what?' We were all shocked when we got the news the other day.

“We always said that the people behind us make all the heavy lifting on the show. But man, the world is a sader place because Kevin is not here. He was just a really good guy and we will miss him.”

Johnson fought tears at the end of the segment, called the moment “unspeakably difficult” and said the studio would never be the same.

Thomas is reportedly survived by his wife, son and four grandchildren.

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