NBA on TNT personality Charles Barkley recently called out ESPN's Kendrick Perkins, and this has since led to a back-and-forth between the former players.
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To note, Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith will be joining the ESPN crew pretty soon, in accordance to the NBA's new TV deal ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Considering this, the Hall of Famer's comments were a bit surprising on Thursday.
"I saw a fool, idiot on TV talking about the 'Lakers saved the NBA season,'" Barkley said before saying the name..."Kendrick Perkins."
"You fools on that other network, which we going to become fools too working on that network... that's all they talk about."
Barkley continued, "First off, I want all the smoke... I don't whistle when I walk by the graveyard."
Charles Barkley hasn’t even started at ESPN and he already wants all the smoke with Kendrick Perkins
pic.twitter.com/CGKibP0xrr— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 7, 2025
That is to say, Perkins didn't waste any time responding on X:
"Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I'll be around. 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 ass like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409 homeboy and we bar none and fade all. #TexasBoy"
In view of why Barkley was "pissed," it evidently stems from the big name TV personalities only talking about the big market teams, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the top 2 teams in the league.
Notably, there's a bit of irony tied into all this, as Perkins actually played for both the Cavs and Thunder.
To point out, this is not the first time the two former NBA players had some beef with one another, as last year Perkins called out Barkley and the TNT crew, insinuating they only watch the games that are played on national TV.
Charles Barkley disses Kendrick Perkins on Instagram!
“Dude averaged 5 points 😂” pic.twitter.com/jRZTuFCePc
— HoopsWrld (@HoopsWrld0) April 24, 2024
Ultimately, Barkley got the last laugh when he made fun of Perkins' career points per game average (5.4).
"First of all, listen, don't bring up... A guy who averaged five points a game," Barkley said last Spring. "I'm not gonna stoop to his level. You average five points a game. Shut the h*** up."
Charles Barkley responds to Kendrick Perkins after Perkins claimed that Barkley doesn't watch basketball
“5 points a game gone call me out?" 😅 pic.twitter.com/Kdn0x7gvC2
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 17, 2024
All in all, things may become awkward when Barkley and Perkins become counterparts at ESPN next year.
