Charles Barkley explodes on NBA basketball coverage: “Y’all are talking about who’s in second place”

“First is first, and second is nowhere”. Variations of that phrase have been uttered by numerous sporting figures over the years and TNT’s NBA analyst Charles Barkley has now given his own explosive take on it, blasting his ESPN counterparts, and future colleagues, in the process.

ESPN “fools” and “idiots” for Lakers and Warriors comments

The former Philadelphia 76ers forward is less than impressed with the narrative being put out by “fools” and “idiots” on ESPN when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, who he feels are receiving favourable coverage ahead of others teams that deserve it more.

Luka Doncic’s shock arrival at the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks has seen them piece together eight straight wins, part of a longer sequence of 20 victories in 24 games. That has taken them up into second place in the Western Conference with a 40-21 record, but they remain a long, long way behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 52-11.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have moved up the same standings thanks to three straight wins and eight victories in nine games, although they are down in sixth spot with a 35-28 record.

“Hey man, the Lakers are doing great,” Barkley said. “Got a long way to go. But the reason the season’s been going great - 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 Cleveland Cavaliers have won 12 straight games. Oklahoma City got the MVP and they are on fire. Y’all are talking about who’s in second place. That’s the reason I get pissed.

“The Oklahoma City and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the two best stories in the NBA this year. Congratulations to the Lakers and the Warriors. They’ve had two good weeks. The Cavs and OKC have had six great months.”

Charles Barkley attacks Kendrick Perkins

Barkley had especially harsh words for one man in particular.

“I saw a fool, an idiot on TV saying the Lakers saved the NBA. He’s an idiot and a fool but he knows who he is,” the 11-time All-Star ranted, initially refraining from naming names.

Eventually, though, he couldn’t help himself. “Kendrick Perkins. He said, the Lakers - first of all, the Lakers have had a great two weeks. He said the Lakers saved the NBA season. That’s because them fools on the other network, which we’re going to be working for next year, that’s all they talk about”.

Barkley to join Perkins on ESPN

As Barkley stated, he and the rest of the “Inside the NBA” crew will be moving to ESPN (and ABC) from next season, via a partnership with TNT Sports and the NBA. That means he could well end up working with “fools” and “idiots” such as Perkins, which could well provide some awkward moments.

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