Less than two years later, Johnson took some time off from the show after the death of his son, Michael, at age 33. “Inside the NBA” paid tribute to Michael Johnson during Ernie’s absence, with O’Neal, Barkley and Smith offering comfort and support for their close friend and coworker.
“To see a great man like this hurt, it just makes all of us hurt,” O’Neal said. “Ernie, you know I love you, you know we love you. Condolences to you and your family, and whatever you need from us, you know I’m gonna be there for the rest of my life.”
Smith said: “Ernie is usually the person that we lean on. So Ernie, this is the first time you need to lean on us.”
When he returned to the show on Nov. 9, 2021, Johnson revealed he had done just that.
“I listened to what you all said last week, and Kenny you said it’s time for me to lean on you and my family did exactly that, leaning on the Turner family, friends, our faith because we lost our son Michael on Oct. 29,” Johnson said.
“So to all of you out there, let me just say thank you for all the texts, phone calls, to all of you who used social media in the kindest and most compassionate way possible. It’s just so overwhelming for our family, so thank you so much for that. And we’re gonna make it, and we’re carrying on and we know that Michael’s in better hands than ours right now.”