Charles Barkley Was Fired Up for Nova’s Buzzer-Beater, Kenny Smith Not So Much

Thrill of victory… Agony of defeat. #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/GuEPbDfpDY
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 5, 2016

Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith provide dueling reactions to Kris Jenkins’s miracle buzzer-beater for Villanova last night against the Tar Heels. Smith, a UNC alum, was nervously watching against the barrier in the background to the right. While Kenny was watching live, Chuck was glued to his monitor watching until Jenkins hit the shot. Then he exploded out of his chair and even did a little dance. He jumped for the first time in probably years. At the same time, a morose Smith slowly walked back to his seat, ready for the grim work of explaining to the country how his Tar Heels lost one of the greatest National Championship games we’ve ever seen. Sports are sometimes exhilarating, and sometimes they are the goddamned worst.

And, while we are checking out reactions—do yourself a favor and check out Jay Wright’s cold-blooded reaction here if you haven’t already—take a look at this usher or security guard standing behind the Nova basket. It’s as expressive and delightful as Wright’s was clinical.

He’s so blown away he momentarily forgot that this is the part of the night he actually has to do something. Look at this face; you know you made this face, too.