On Thursday night's episode of 'Inside The NBA,' Charles Barkley didn't hold back, as he went on a two-minute rant directed at Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
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It all started with Redick's comments on December 20, in which he insinuated that the media members' constant negative criticisms have contributed to a decline in NBA ratings.
"If I'm a casual fan and you tell me every time I turn on the television that the product sucks, well, I'm not going to watch the product," Redick said.
JJ Redick on the 3s and NBA ratings discourse, parity, talent in the game today vs yesterday, and people paying too much attention to what is said on Twitter
It's funny that he starts his answer with "I'll try to be brief here" and then speaks for 4 minutes pic.twitter.com/XEJFEob4Tb
— David Astramskas (@redapples) December 20, 2024
That is to say, this evidently did not sit well with Barkley, as the Hall of Famer took offense to Redick's remarks and went on a long tangent during the TNT live broadcast.
Barkley's full 2-minute rant on JJ Redick:
"You just a dead man walking...you came out there thinking you going to change things with that same ugly girl you went on a date with...Damn bums out there but it's Frank Vogel & Darvin Ham's fault." pic.twitter.com/juKZXsdALy https://t.co/vTE3YU3xh5— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 3, 2025
"He said something about we're the reason people ain't watching this crappy product we got," Barkley said. "Yeah, us. Like we out there jacking up a hundred threes a night, JJ."
"...JJ, you come for the king, you better not miss. 'Cause I can get you brother. 'Cause remember I got your Lakers' games. You can't hide them flaws they got. You just a dead man walking."
He continued, "They got rid of Frank Vogel who did a good job. They got rid of Darvin Ham who did a good job. If you came out there thinking you were going to change things with that same ugly girl you went on the date with—the Lakers stink. He came in there thinking I can make this thing work. Hell you can. Put some makeup on that pig. The Lakers stink man. Come on man."
With this in mind, Barkley may have just proven Redick's point with this long tirade.
JJ Redick on the status of the NBA: #NBAX #NBAXLIVE #NBA pic.twitter.com/qFFhi0fOgD
— LAVE (@TheLakersAvenue) January 3, 2025
Certainly, criticisms are welcomed when warranted, but Redick's point is that he wants to see the game of basketball celebrated. More often than not, the negative connotations ring loud and push a narrative that may influence the minds of casual fans.
Nevertheless, the style of play and chucking up 100 3's a game is a little worrisome and may not he the product the fans want to see after all.
Related: Charles Barkley Goes Off On Lakers For Mishandling Bronny James Situation
