
via Getty
HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA – MAY 24: Charles Barkley commentates from the booth during The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club on May 24, 2020 in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)

via Getty
HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA – MAY 24: Charles Barkley commentates from the booth during The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club on May 24, 2020 in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)
Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley has always been blunt when it came to expressing his opinions on certain matters. The former NBA superstar-turned-analyst never shies away from making his thoughts known to sports lovers, a trait that fans usually look for in an analyst. After giving his take on the recent banking situation, the Hall of Famer dropped yet another surprising conviction regarding the sports media culture that instantly gained the favor of the NBA world.
After playing in the league for 16 glorious years, Charles Barkley took his exit from the court in 2000. Since then, he has been working as an analyst for TNT alongside his Inside the NBA co-hosts Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson.
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Charles Barkley calls out the media
Since March Madness began, teams have been gradually progressing toward the NCAA Finals that will take place in the first week of April. To discuss the ongoing college tournament, Charles Barkley recently had an extended discussion with Kenny Smith, Greg Gumbel, and Clark Kellogg. Amid the discussion, Barkley verbally attacked certain media personalities for giving harsh opinions about players and the game despite their inexperience.
Man…
— Patrick E. Crarey, II (@CoachCrarey) March 19, 2023
He said, “Listen, nobody has patience anymore. We let every fool and idiot have an opinion now on talk radio and on social media. This guy has been a hell of a coach for a long time. But sometimes because of these fools on television in the morning and social media and these talk shows with people. Sports are the only job in the world where we let people call in, who ain’t never touch the ball, give you their opinion and we listen to them. We got to fire our coach like, ‘Yo man, you’re a plumber. What the hell you know about basketball as far as it is’.”
Barkley pressed on the ‘absurdity’ of the statement and added, “Think about this, we let any fool, idiot call in, and give his opinion and we listen to it. We wouldn’t do that if we were doctors like, ‘Hey, let the public call in to talk to us about surgery’. They would never do that.”
NBA Twitter nods in agreement with Barkley
Usually, when a public figure gives their honest opinion on a national platform, there is always a 50-50 chance that the whole thing would rather just blow up in their face. After all, you cannot always get everyone to agree with your personal opinions. However, Chuck’s latest statement was received with positivity by Twitterati.
WATCH THIS STORY: “Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Lebron James—NBA stars who were inspired by high school coaches”
One user wrote, “Truer words have never been said!?” Whereas, another fan wrote, “Love me some Charles Barkley. Keeps and authentic.” Take a look at a few more of the tweets.
Truer words have never been said!?
— Stew4Two 🏀 🇳🇴 🇮🇪 (@stew42BB4Life) March 20, 2023
Love me some Charles Barkley. Keeps and authentic.
— Kris Hooper (@bballshowcase) March 20, 2023
He’s definitely speaking the truth.
— *Anthony* (@WhitePony_82) March 20, 2023
😂I ❤️that dude!
— David A. Armstrong, J.D. (@STUPrez) March 19, 2023
A few of the users also chimed in with their thoughts in the comments section. They talked about underrated coaches and how certain ‘experts’ take advantage of the digital platform to earn money.
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Not only haven’t they ever touched the ball – many of them become “media” covering the games & getting paid on their opinions about a sport they never played or coached.
— Andrew Kurzawski (@CoachKurzawski) March 19, 2023
💯 It’s too easy for people to give an opinion when they don’t have to live with those decisions. A coach has to make those decisions for real, and deal with the consequences… good or bad.
— Paul Crisp (@pcrispy) March 19, 2023
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What are your thoughts on Barkley’s statement? Let us know in the comments.
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