"Inside the NBA" host Charles Barkley is one of, if not the most respected NBA analysts in the business.
So, when Barkley takes issue with something NBA-related, people tend to listen.
Barkley took time during Thursday night's episode of "Inside the NBA" to unleash a fiery rant about the way ESPN has covered the NBA this season, specifically firing shots at Kendrick Perkins, a retired NBA champion who's now an NBA analyst for ESPN, and in a more indirect way, Stephen A. Smith, who signed a new five-year, $100 million deal with ESPN on Thursday.
While Barkley has never been one to bite his tongue, his remarks did turn some heads given "Inside the NBA," which also features Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr., and Kenny Smith, will be aired on ESPN and ABC starting next season through a syndication partnership with TNT Sports.
"I saw a fool, idiot on TV talking about the Lakers saving the NBA," Barkley said. "He's an idiot and a fool. We know he is. What's his name, Shaq? Kendrick Perkins. He said the Lakers - first of all, the Lakers are having a great two weeks. He said the Lakers saved the NBA season. That's because of them fools at the other network, which we're going to be working at next year, that's all they talk about.
"Let me tell y'all something. First of all, I want all the smoke. I don't whistle when I walk by the graveyard or anything like that. The Lakers are doing great. Got a long way to go. But the reason the season's been going great is the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Y'all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers. They're both doing great, don't get me wrong. If I turn out to be wrong, I got no problem with that. But y'all are idiots cause y'all talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time.
"…The Warriors are doing great, but that's cause you fools on the other network, which we going to become fools next year because we'll be working on that network, but Oklahoma City and the Cavs been balling for six months. Y'all talking about teams that had two great weeks.
"This lame-[expletive] LeBron James-Michael Jordan debate. I've said it for years, the only people talking about LeBron and Michael is people on television who got no talent to talk about anything else. I been saying that for years. I ain't hanging onto the '90s."
Chuck with an all-time Lakers rant pic.twitter.com/29GCOL5DnG
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 7, 2025
Barkley's remarks understandably riled up the people he called out.
Perkins took to social media to immediately fire back at Barkley and exchange insults, while Smith, the host of "First Take," also threw some smoke back Barkley's way after feeling like he was on the receiving end of some unjustly harsh criticism.
"Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I'll be around," Perkins tweeted. "When he see an idiot or fool in person make sure he keep that same energy. He can come playing with me if he want to and imma Address his [expletive] like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409 homeboy and we bar none and fade all. #TexasBoy."
Added Smith: "Yo Chuck, stop the b.s. with the ‘y'all.' Attach a name to it. I know I've been talking about @cavs being the No.1 threat to the @Celtics. Once you come over here, there's gonna be some folks waiting to call YOU a fool. P.S. You know I love ya, though. See y'all soon. Yo @TheJetOnTNT….workbook those free throws. Love y'all."
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 7:08 PM.