The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the spotlight, with a 7-game winning streak and sitting pretty at the No. 2 seed in the West. Ever since Luka Doncic joined them, they’ve been one of the hottest teams in the league. And naturally, anytime the Lakers start winning, they dominate the national conversation. But the NBA is more than just the Lakers. And Sir Charles believes that.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers are both making history, with the Cavs riding a 12-game win streak. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are putting up one of the best title defense seasons since the Warriors dynasty. The Western Conference is a battlefield, with only three games separating most teams outside of OKC. So when someone suggested that the league was “saved” by the Lakers’ resurgence, Barkley wasn’t having any of it.

During a recent episode of Inside the NBA, Barkley went off on ESPN’s coverage, calling out how they focus on the Lakers and Warriors while ignoring top teams. But the real shot came when he straight-up called his future ESPN colleague Kendrick Perkins a “fool” for feeding into it. Perkins, however, wasn’t about to let that slide—especially since, starting next season, Barkley and Big Perk will be working under the same ESPN roof.

“Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I’ll be around,” Perkins fired back on X. “When he see an idiot or fool in person make sure he keep that same energy. He can come playing with me if he want to and imma address his ass like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409 homeboy and we bar none and fade all.”

Not only Big Perk but Stephen A. Smith also had something to say. “Yo Chuck, stop the b.s. with the ‘y’all.’ Attach a name to it. I know I’ve been talking about @cavs being the No.1 threat to the @Celtics. Once you come over here, there’s gonna be some folks waiting to call YOU a fool. P.S. You know I love ya, though.”

Looks like Charles Barkley’s ESPN debut is already heating up, and he hasn’t even put on the mic yet.

Charles Barkley criticize ESPN and Perkins

LA Lakers landed Luka Doncic from the Mavericks mid-season—something no one saw coming. While the trade turned the Lakers into serious contenders, Kendrick Perkins took things a step further, claiming, “Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA.”

But Charles Barkley wasted no time calling out Perkins on Inside the NBA. “I saw a fool, idiot, on TV talking about the Lakers saved the NBA,” Barkley fired back. “He’s an idiot and a fool, but you know who he is…Kendrick Perkins.”

For Barkley, the real issue isn’t just the Lakers—it’s the constant focus on them at the expense of other great teams. As per him, ESPN keeps cycling through the same Lakers-Warriors discussions.

“Y’all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers. Oklahoma City’s got the MVP, and they are on fire. Y’all are talking about who’s in second place. That’s the reason I get pissed,” Sir Charles further added.

So, who’s got it right—Perkins or Barkley? Either way, next season at ESPN is going to be a must-watch TV.