It’s no secret that two of the NBA’s biggest brands have dominated headlines over the past few weeks. The Los Angeles Lakers, following their high-profile acquisition of Luka Dončić, and the Golden State Warriors, following their trade for Jimmy Butler III, have both been on a roll since their respective trades, and media folks are having a field day because of it.
ESPN is just one of the media networks that’s been hot on both the Lakers and the Warriors, something that “Inside the NBA” analyst Charley Barkley is fed up with.
Charles Barkley’s Blunt Rant About ESPN’s NBA Coverage
On March 6, 2025, during an episode of “Inside the NBA,” Barkley, known for his unfiltered approach, set off a chain reaction with his blunt criticism of ESPN’s focus on the big franchises that rule the NBA.
Barkley took aim at ESPN analyst and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, who had earlier declared that the Lakers were “saving the NBA” with their recent explosive performances.
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)
“I saw a fool idiot on TV talking about the Lakers saved the NBA. He’s an idiot and a fool, but he knows who he is…” Barkley ranted on air, before Shaquille O’Neal mentioned that it was Perkins.
He went on to explain that while the Lakers had indeed enjoyed a hot two-week streak, their success was being overhyped by a media machine that, in his eyes, was overly fixated on the Lakers and Warriors.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 12 straight games. The Oklahoma City Thunder got the MVP and they are on fire. Ya’ll are talking about who’s in second place… Oklahoma City and the Cavs have been ballin’ for six months. Ya’ll talking about teams that had two great weeks,” Barkley said.
However, the real comments that got most people’s attention were Barkley accusing ESPN’s talent of being “fools on the other network,” going on to say how his TNT crew (set to join ESPN next season) would soon find themselves on set with these “idiots.”
Stephen A. Smith Has Entered the Chat
Not one to be outdone, Smith quickly seized the moment on social media. In a series of posts on X, Smith fired back at Barkley’s generalized insults.
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… https://t.co/8PbBWVRlim
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith)
“Yo Chuck, stop the BS with the ‘y’all’. Attach a name to it,” Smith said. “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 ya’ll soon. Yo @TheJetOnTNT… workbook those free throws. Love ya’ll.”
In the end, the Barkley-Smith exchange has not only heated up the airwaves but also ignited a broader conversation about how we appreciate and evaluate success in the NBA, which is certainly a conversation worth having.
The verbal joust between the two has also foreshadowed what might be an even more interesting dynamic next season when the TNT crew transitions to ESPN.
