NBA legend Charles Barkley took on Brooklyn Nets goalie Kyrie Irving on Thursday.
Barkley appeared on ESPN’s morning radio show – which airs simultaneously on ESPN2 – with hosts Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Zubin Mehenti, and talked about Irving’s boycott of the press and the fact that he skipped the first round of availability and instead, he issued a statement to reporters on his thoughts and feelings for the season.
Irving would come later to talk to reporters.
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“It’s just about how we feel about mistreating certain artists when we reach a certain platform or when we make decisions in our lives to have full control and ownership … We want to perform in a safe and secure space,” he said. he said earlier this week.
Barkley took a hit on Irving’s comments.
“I’m not sure what point Kyrie is trying to make,” Barkley said. “He’s starting to talk about what an artist is. He’s a basketball player. That’s it. Listen, we’re not front-line respondents. We’re not teachers. I, man, you dribble a basketball, you don’t act like you would be the smartest person in the world. “
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The NBA, 11 times, said it still supports Irving using its platform for social justice cases, but was confused as to why he will become existential with his words.
“Now you can talk about social issues and things like that? And he seems to be saying, “No, I want you to realize I’m the smartest guy in the room.” “
The 1993 league MVP continued: “Well, first of all, you’re not. You only went to school for six months. Many guys are smarter than you are. Answer stupid basketball questions. And if you want to say something about social justice, say it and say it, because it is important and significant. But all the other things?
Irving’s comments could certainly be misleading. He said in the offseason that the Nets will be coached by the committee, was reported to have “ghosted” the Boston Celtics before joining Brooklyn in 2019 and was mocked for floating a flat theory of the Earth a few years ago.
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However, he used his platform for good causes. He hired $ 1.5 million to WNBA players who opted to skip the 2020 season because of fears of the coronavirus and talked about playing the NBA as he continued his 2019-20 season amid racial turmoil in the summer.