The top five candidates to replace Ernie Johnson on ‘Inside the NBA’

Ernie Johnson delivered the inevitable news that nobody wanted to accept on Tuesday night: he was ready to retire from Inside the NBA . After decades as the host and face of the best studio show in sports, Johnson has decided to retire at season’s end after one of the most illustrious careers in the business. EJ is a man who is equally as beloved by fans, peers, and co-workers. And you can see it in the reactions and tributes just how much his presence has meant to the NBA and to sports media as a whole.