Speculation continues to build over who could replace Ernie Johnson on Inside the NBA.

After 37 years steering the madness, Ernie Johnson is finally ready to call it. The 70-year-old has anchored Inside the NBA since the late ’80s, playing the ringmaster alongside Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq. But after a tough run of heart troubles and bypass surgery, he’s making the call to put his health and family first.

Walking away at the end of the season leaves a hole at that desk. The rumor mill is already working overtime guessing who takes his seat, but let’s be honest, whoever gets the job, it’ll never be the same.

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Ernie Johnson has a couple of replacements in mind

Filling Ernie Johnson’s seat isn’t a normal TV audition. It’s dropping a newcomer into a live comedy act with Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq and hoping the show doesn’t go off the rails. Sure, some network pros can read a teleprompter, but finding that exact chemistry is damn near impossible.

He was asked on the LeBatard show: “Ernie, do you think you will be asked your opinion on a successor? Do you want to be asked about a successor?”

Ernie Johnson: “Yeah, I don’t know. Why should I have a say in that? I don’t need to have a say in that. Look, I’m not the only one who can do this job. A lot of folks would love to be sitting next to those three, so whoever it is, the show will be in great hands. Obviously, I’ve got a couple of people in mind, but I don’t really feel like I need to share that.”

A viral list floating around has made the rounds, throwing in five big names. Adam Lefkoe is the obvious in-house nod, while ESPN staples like Scott Van Pelt, Malika Andrews, and Mike Greenberg keep getting thrown up by fans. Then there’s Nate Burleson, who can host literally anything.