Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal Go Off at Leaked Info on Bucks Player-Coach Altercation: “That Shouldn’t Be Out the Locker Room”

Post the Milwaukee Bucks loss to the Pacers, the tension and emotions were high in the locker room. Leaked information on the player-coach altercation has Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley shaking their heads. They can’t accept the whole impropriety of the situation.

Giannis or Dame going at their coach, and that too, privately is considered okay. But for anyone on the team to just come out and get in the face of a coach is not good form.

Charles Barkley and O’Neal stand their ground on the leaked information

Again, it would have been okay if this incident stayed in the locker room. But for it to be published for the whole world to be seen is what irked Chuck. Both he and Shaq agreed: “That should not get out of the locker room.” 

After all, what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas, right? Apparently, not for Bobby Portis and first-year coach, Adrian Griffin. Or even the Milwaukee Bucks. The 28-year-old forward was not happy with how things had turned out.

According to sources, Griffin had walked into the locker room and went on a tirade about the importance of “winning the rebounding battle”. That was the last straw for Portis, who was like a bubbling volcano looking for the slightest spark. He got it from Adrian Griffin.

Not wasting another moment, the nine-year veteran quickly ‘rebounded’ with his own argument. As reported by Chris Haynes, Portis said that while the team has to execute better, the coaching staff has to put them in a position to succeed. Though his coach admitted those were areas he could work on, Barkley and O’Neal couldn’t stomach it.

Portis’ arguments do deserve merit

While the whole emotionally charged ambiance wasn’t exactly healthy, the points made by the man do deserve some credit. The lack of organization down the stretch was what frustrated Bobby to no end. Post-game, both Dame and Giannis admitted that they weren’t on the same page during the possession.

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The said incident happened during a Khris Middleton turnover with only 2 minutes left on the clock. Middleton forced a pass to Lillard, that Bruce Brown tried to pick off. But Dame halted his progress only for Buddy Hield to collect the offensive rebound promptly.

It’s not the first time the team has had glitches in this area. The Heat game on October 30th saw Giannis change a play Griffin had drawn up during their huddle. And the next instance was during Milwaukee’s OT loss to the Bulls on November 30. Post-game, Antetokounmpo had complained about their inability to rely on each other’s talents.

While the team ranks third in the best clutch-offensive rating, as long as there is no understanding between the players, it’s going to be a long ‘stretch’, no pun intended.

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