You can say this much for NBA legend Charles Barkley — he doesn't really care how his hot takes come across on television. And he suggested other NBA analysts on TV take note.
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Barkley is mostly known to the current generation for his insights on TNT's Inside the NBA. He was brash as a player and he is the same way today. But Barkley's goal now is to add perspective and reason, while being honest, and he's done a good job of that. The feelings of others aren't really factored in.
He addressed as much when discussing the rumored coaching changes involving the Los Angeles Lakers (Darvin Ham) and Phoenix Suns (Frank Vogel, formerly fired by the Lakers).
"A lot of these guys on television, they're cowards," Barkley said from the studio. "They want the players to like them, they don't want to do their job — which is to tell the truth.
"And I just want to say this about coaching: Anybody who thinks the Lakers suck is because of Darvin Ham, and the reason the Suns suck is because of Frank Vogel ... you don't know what you're talking about.
"Frank Vogel is a hell of a coach. Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach who's trying to get his career started. But for all you punks, jackasses and idiots on other networks, who want to be media and want all the players to like y'all, do your damn job."
Barkley proceeded to blast the lineups of the Lakers and Suns.
"The Lakers suck and the Suns suck because of the players. It has nothing to do with the coaches. I feel better now."
The Lakers were bounced in the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in five games; the Suns by the Minnesota Timberwolves in four. But that doesn't mean it's the coaches' fault. The players have to take some responsibility, too — and Barkley isn't afraid to say it, even if no one else will.
Chuck has something to say when it comes to coaching in the NBA: pic.twitter.com/MnnDZrQr9s
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 2, 2024
