“Shouldn’t Have Started Before Zach LaVine”: Charles Barkley Rips NBA All-Star Starter Trae Young After Hawks Star Roasts Him on Twitter

Charles Barkley is famously known for his hot takes on the TNT show, Inside the NBA. When the NBA All-Star list was announced today, Chuck did not hold back on his differing opinion. Specifically, he was in disagreement with Trae Young’s selection as a starter in the Eastern Conference voting.

Sir Charles is of the opinion that Zach LaVine deserved Young’s spot on the roster. As can be expected, he did not hesitate to state the same. However, Trae Young just as quickly took to Twitter and gave a response to Chuck.

“Eat a Twinkie and be quiet sometimes”

Read more: Shaquille O’Neal on Andrew Wiggins’ Shocking NBA All-Star Nomination: “They Taught Him How to Be a Winner… I Want to Congratulate Him”

Charles Barkley- LaVine over Young?

Barkley believes due to Chicago Bulls’ better record this season, Bulls guard LaVine deserves to be an All-Star more than Young. To illustrate, Bulls are second in the conference right now with 30 Ws and 17 Ls. The Hawks, on the other hand, fall behind in 12th place with a very poor 22-25 win-loss record this season.

However, this does not mean that Trae does not deserve to be on that roster. Young, who was snubbed last year, is averaging 27.7 PPG, 9.3 dimes, and a player efficiency rating of 25.56. Additionally, Trae is 5th in the league for points per game. His PER makes him 7th in the league. To compare, LaVine is only putting up 24.9 PPG, 4.3 assists, and has a PER of 21.27.

All-Star selection in 2021-22

In the East, Trae Young was selected alongside DeMar DeRozan in the frontcourt, while Kevin Durant (Captain), Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid were in the backcourt. Guards Stephen Curry and Ja Morant made the cut in the West, while LeBron James (captain), Nikola Jokic, and Andrew Wiggins were the back-court selections.

The All-Star selections for both Conferences are made as a result of a mix of votes by fans, current NBA players and a panel of media members. Accordingly, the fans account for 50% of the total votes. In addition, the players and the panel contribute 25% each in making the selection.

It will be up to coaches next to select and finalize the pool of players who will start on the bench at the All-Star weekend. Consequently, captains LeBron and Durant will take their picks from the pool on February 10th.

Who do you think deserves to be on the All-Star team? Let us know in the comments.

Watch this next: D’Angelo Russell on Why He’s Mad at Lakers and Not Warriors or Nets for Trading Him: “Magic Kicked Me on My A** on the Way Out”