INSIDE The NBA has descended into a ‘s**t show’ and a ‘mess’ behind the scenes, The U.S. Sun has learned.

The popular TNT sports show is set for it’s final season this year with the network set to lose NBA rights.

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But the final year could be a turbulent one with stars acting “selfish” and “not caring about other workers,” a source claimed.

“This ‘we are family’ speech is only for public relations,” a source who works on the show told The U.S. Sun.

“The Inside The NBA crew is a mess, everyone is leaving the sinking ship and it’s a huge tense environment.

“Nobody is really looking forward to start the last season, as the atmosphere is very tense, and we all know what’s going on in the backstage.

“It’s a s**t show, it’s getting to a point where everyone is expecting to have a massive high tense season, and nobody would want to work in an environment like that.

“It’s going to explode, and people will see the real face of people, and the real personality of the stars of the show.

“The situation is really disappointing as it looks like the stars of the show are now just focusing on themselves and pushing for their own thing.”

Inside the NBA has been broadcasting on TNT since 1989 and has become one of the most popular shows in all of sports.

Fans love the dynamic and chemistry between Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.

But there have been tensions between the stars with the way each other has handled the situation.

Barkley has been an outspoken critic of the NBA and TNT’s decision not to renew their deal.

The source added, “People think that everything is fine between the crew and that we are a family, but we aren’t.

“Since we pretty much know that things will be over after the coming season, this has turned into a whole mess, where everyone is finally showing their true colors.

“The tensions between Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson are really high, as they are now criticizing each other for how the situation has been handled.

“Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith are already looking in other directions, and know that NBA on TNT is almost over, it’s the end of the story.”

‘Hopeful something can be arranged’

SHAQUILLE O’Neal still has hope Inside the NBA can be saved.

O’Neal, 52, was asked about the TNT-NBA negotiations and Inside the NBA‘s future in a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

“We have one more year left,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said.

“I am a consummate professional, so I’m not going to go left or go right.

“I just know we’re going to do this year and, hopefully, something can be arranged out to where the show continues.

“That’s all I’m at liberty to say right now.”

The source also claimed that the stars’ handling of the situation is causing stress for other members of the crew.

“Everyone is being very selfish and outrageously nice in public, but in the work space it’s a war zone,” the source added.

“A lot of people are stressed about what’s next for them.

“As the leaders, the stars of the show are being selfish as hell, and not caring about the other workers but just in their own interests.

“The stars created that tense atmosphere”.