The NBA has been a hot topic of debate in recent years, with discussions focusing on declining ratings and a perceived overreliance on the three-point shot by many teams. Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently sparked controversy by suggesting that negative commentary from analysts might be contributing to the sport’s viewership challenges.
“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 in December, making a pointed critique of the way some media personalities discuss the NBA.
This statement didn’t sit well with NBA legend and TNT analyst Charles Barkley, who fired back on air Thursday night with a characteristically fiery response.
“He said something about us being the reason people ain’t watching this crappy product we got,” Barkley began. “Yeah, us. Like we’re the ones out there jacking up a hundred threes a night.”
Barkley then turned his critique toward Redick’s role with the struggling Lakers, taking aim at both the team’s performance and Redick’s aspirations to make a difference.
“JJ, you come for the king, you better not miss,” Barkley said. “Because I can get you, brother. Remember, I got your Lakers games. You can’t hide those flaws they got. You just a dead man walking.”
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Barkley continued his tirade, criticizing the Lakers’ leadership and recent coaching decisions. “They got rid of Frank Vogel, who did a good job. They got rid of Darvin Ham, who did a good job. You came in there thinking you were going to change things with that same ugly girl you went on the date with—the Lakers stink,” Barkley said. “Come on, man. Put some makeup on that pig. The Lakers stink.”
The comments quickly went viral, with fans eagerly awaiting Redick’s response. On Friday, Redick finally addressed Barkley’s remarks during a media session.
“Literally don’t care,” Redick said when asked about the video. He revealed that someone had sent him the clip, but he didn’t bother watching it in full. “My heart rate was at 64 while I watched the part I did. It stayed at 64 the entire time. I have other thoughts, but honestly, I don’t care.”
Redick’s measured and dismissive response stood in stark contrast to Barkley’s impassioned rant, underscoring the former player’s preference to avoid escalating the conflict further.
The exchange between the two has reignited discussions about the role of media criticism in shaping public perception of the NBA, with fans and commentators divided on the impact of such commentary. While Barkley’s critiques have long been a staple of TNT’s NBA coverage, Redick’s remarks suggest a growing tension between analysts and those working within the league.
As the Lakers continue to face challenges on the court, it remains to be seen whether Redick and Barkley’s war of words will resurface—or if both men will move on from the exchange.
For now, Redick seems content to let the criticism roll off his back, focusing instead on the task at hand: helping the Lakers improve.
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