“Why Is Charles Barkley Talking?”: ESPN Employee and Ex-NBA Star Press Sore Nerve Against 76ers Legend’s Lakers Critique

Charles Barkley has left the NBA community divided on the In-Season Tournament. Being on and off the bandwagon, he’s one of the people stirring the debate about the Los Angeles Lakers hanging a banner to celebrate their victory. Shannon Sharpe, who credited Chuck for inspiring his post-NFL career, is being as brutally honest as his role model. But he wasn’t alone. Joining Shannon was 3x All-Star Gilbert Arenas, who didn’t hold back on the Chuckster either.

“Why is Charles Barkley talking?” Arenas began. To that, Shannon Sharpe, the known LeBron James fan, took a jab at Sir Charles’ ringless NBA career. “You ain’t raised no banner. Period,” he said to Arenas on Nightcap.

Gil outright called Barkley a hypocrite for not criticizing two of his former teams when they hung the Western Conference Finals banners decades ago. “Is he still giggling when Phoenix Suns in 93 put up the Western conference Banner ’cause he was happy when that went up?”

Barkley was one of many analysts and fans who believed the Lakers’ champagne and banner celebration for the first NBA Cup was in poor taste. “If they do that, I’m going to roast their a** on TV,” Chuck had threatened. As Arenas pointed out, many fans reminded the Chuckster he didn’t have many banner moments himself.

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Chuck was with the Phoenix Suns from 1992 to 1996 when they won the WCF and a quick search reveals the banner commemorating the team exists. Arenas also referred to the Philadelphia 76ers having a banner in his honor. Someone else who denies Barkley’s opinions on the Lakers celebration is none other than his TNT best mate.

Shaquille O’Neal gives the Lakers their moment

Unlike the mood on Inside the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal was on The Rich Eisen Show, saying, “This is not my time,” referring to the Lakers celebration. Indeed, it’s a lot different from the Lakers that won a three-peat with him. Sharpe and Arenas also pointed out that the In-Season Tournament is a mark of the NBA evolving with time.

Shaq sidestepped the justification of the banner and instead praised the marketing team for distinguishing it from a championship banner. “We’re going to raise this banner but it’s going to be a different color than the other Championships. That line right there was smart,” Shaq said. 

Opinions continue to differ. What stays is the Lakers banner. Chuck will just have to deal with it.

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