Charles Barkley did not hold back in his response to a perceived slight regarding his show from the current Lakers head coach.
NBA ratings hit the highest numbers on Christmas in five years, but prior to that, media and online fans engaged in their annual debate over why the league’s ratings are declining, whether it truly matters, and what factors contribute to it, including personal dislikes about the current state of the game.
Amidst the ongoing discussion, JJ Redick shared his views on the ratings decline at the start of the season and took a subtle jab at “Inside the NBA,” Turner’s long-standing NBA pre, post, and halftime program that will be licensed to ESPN next season.
Here’s what Redick remarked, via Sam Amick of The Athletic:
“I don’t think we … have done a good job of storytelling, of celebrating the game,” Redick stated. “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. And that’s really what has happened over the last 10 to 15 years. I don’t know why. It’s not funny to me.”
Claiming that someone on TV is asserting every time a fan tunes into an NBA game that a) the product is subpar and b) that criticizing it is “not funny” to him is a thinly veiled shot at “Inside the NBA,” known for its irreverent humor and the cantankerous nature of its main cast — especially Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal — regarding modern basketball’s de-emphasis on post play and the prevalence of three-pointers.
Whether this blogger perceives it as a jab or not, it is evident that Barkley did, as he responded during a Turner broadcast of Timberwolves/Celtics on Thursday night (emphasis mine):
Barkley: ”Hey JJ… He said something about we’re the reason people aren’t watching this crappy product you got… yeah, us, like we’re out here jacking up 100 threes a night… JJ, you come for the king, you better not miss. Because I can get you, brother. Remember, I got the Lakers games. You can’t hide them flaws they got. You’re just a dead man walking. They got rid of Frank Vogel who did a good job, they got rid of Darvin Ham who did a good job. You came out there thinking you were gonna change things with that same ugly girl you went on a date with…
Ernie Johnson, growing increasingly frantic as highlights continue to roll: ”64-51 was your halftime score as we get back to the highlights. Rudy Gobert!”
Barkley, ignoring him to continue: ”He (Redick) came in there thinking ‘I can make this thing work.’ The hell you can! You can put some makeup on that pig!
Shaq: *dying of laughter*
Barkley, continued: “The Lakers stink, man. Come on man.”
The irony lies in Barkley threatening Redick with negative commentary while simultaneously criticizing the Lakers. It’s akin to the mob wreaking havoc in a small business and then saying, “this is a real nice place here, it would be a shame if somebody wrecked it.” For Barkley, disparaging the Lakers and teams that prioritize three-point shooting is a passion, regardless of whether Redick offers praise for his show.
There is a legitimate discussion to be had about the balance of pros and cons in how “Inside” presents the league. Basketball purists might argue about its lack of focus on technical aspects or its failure to educate fans about the sport’s intricacies in a manner similar to the NFL.
However, if you are reading this, chances are you have chuckled at an “Inside the NBA” segment at some point or had a casual friend share a funny clip with you. There is some value in having a show that entertains even the most casual viewers, even if the impact on the league’s image is debatable.
That said, I won’t delve into that argument today, as there’s little chance I’ll change your perspective on the show, making it as futile as the ratings debate that ignited this spat.
The only remaining question is whether Redick — who might prioritize basketball just slightly above his penchant for condescending commentary — will respond to Barkley after the Lakers face the Blazers, or let this feud cool down. We’ll update this post if he does.
