Chuck just cannot and will not be quiet! The 61-year-old can’t seem to control his feelings when it comes to a certain network and its overhyped coverage of the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. It seems like Charles Barkley had a good head on his shoulders when predicting the future of the Lakers and Dubs’ in the 2023-24 season. While his hot and heavy takes certainly did not sit well with many, the things he said ultimately came to be.

For example, around four months ago, he said on the Dan Patrick Show that Darvin Ham would be fired. And that was what happened. And in his latest appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, ‘Sir Charles’ once again threw shade at ESPN for covering LAL and GSW extensively.

Charles Barkley puts ESPN on stand once again as the Lakers-Warriors subject fires him up

Simmons pointed out that LeBron James and Stephen Curry’s performances in the Olympics turned into “fool’s gold” for the Lakers and Warriors fans. “Now they’re like, ‘See? We could be contenders!’,” he said. And that was enough for Barkley to go off on ESPN and their employees, some of whom are his “friends.” 

“I don’t know if you watched our show, but I went off on the news media, all those clowns at the ESPN. I’m like, ‘Every day,’ for like, three months, ‘Are the Lakers and the Warriors contenders?’ I’m like, ‘Yo man, I told y’all six months ago, the Lakers stink, the Warriors stink!’ I’m like, ‘Why do you guys on other networks,’ Some of them are my friends. ‘Why do you guys keep saying the Lakers and Warriors are good?’ The Lakers stink! The Warriors stink! Think about it,” he stated, taking a brief respite from his rant.

Both these superstar-led teams indeed fumbled big time in 2023-24. With little to no help from their rapidly aging star forward, James could be often seen taking the load on himself with supreme effort just to ensure their team went down with as little disappointment as possible. As for Steph, the guys who he came to depend on practically left him high and dry (of course, they have their own reasons).

How could we ever forget that instance when Curry very nearly tore up thanks to Draymond Green? So yes, the former 11x All-Star had his point, although the way he approached it might have been questionable. But then again, that is the ‘Chuckster’. Remember the incident he mentioned above?

Chuck expressed his frustration with networks painting LA and the Golden State in a positive light

In an early March episode of NBA on TNT episode, the ex-MVP had practically ripped sports media for their coverage of the Purple & Gold as well as the Warriors. Both of them were play-in teams. But for Charles Barkley, none of these mattered. And he let them know it, too. “I’m so sick of these fools on other networks talking about the Lakers and the Warriors,” he stated.

“I understand Steph is great, LeBron is great – ain’t nobody worried about the Lakers and the Warriors in the West… We’ve been kissing these guys’ a– so much, we don’t brag about the number nine teams in the East. They ain’t got no chance!” he finished emphatically.

Again, he did have certain angles right. And again, his way of presenting isn’t going to sit well with a lot. Although the Warriors’ performance saw an uphill climb at the time, Charles Barkley was still not convinced they had championship credentials. Kenny Smith, for his part, tried to turn attention to the greatness of James and Curry, comparing him with NFL legend, Tom Brady. But the ex-76ers star advised Smith to “stop juicing them up.”

Clearly, Charles Barkley was not a fan of hyping storied dynasties just for the sake of it. Especially when there were many teams deserving of such attention.

Do you agree with Chuck’s take? Let us know in the comments.