“He an idiot and a fool, he know who he is. Kendrick Perkins…The fools on the other network (ESPN), which we’re going to be working for next year.” Charles Barkley, during the recent Inside the NBA show, criticized rival networks and broadcasters. Naturally, Perkins responded with a fiery response of his own. Amidst this feud, even Stephen A. Smith joined in to defend his colleague.

SAS on First Take and his YouTube channel spoke about his issues with the TNT analyst. The 57-year-old did not agree with Sir Charles’ complaints about ESPN wrongfully hyping the Lakers’ winning streak.”It happens, and by the way, while Charles Barkley was going off and calling us fools at ESPN, he acknowledged that he was about to be a fool cuz they about to be over here.”

Smith recently agreed to a $100 million deal for 5 years and penned his future with ESPN. As per reports, the ESPN analyst is currently the highest paid person on their network; however, he falls short by just $1 million of TNT Sports’ Charles Barkley. The reports from The Athletic stated his TNT Sports contract is for 10 years and $210 million. Speaking about the future, even though TNT failed to win the bid for the media rights of the league, Inside the NBA got a lifeline.

ESPN will license and air the show on their network, but TNT holds all the creative calls. So, in theory, the Emmy award-winning show should retain their style. However, Smith feels otherwise. “And what you think Charles Barkley gonna be doing? What kind of narratives you think he’s going to be creating? Charles Barkley ain’t never created any narrative? Charles Barkley ain’t never opened his mouth and said ‘Yo, blah blah blah,’ and that ended up being a story the next day.”

SAS furiously suggested that the Auburn alumnus would have to change his approach for the next season. Although the 1993 MVP is not known to change his approach, that’s why he once again dissed the rival network.

Why was Charles Barkley furious at ESPN’s broadcaster?

The Los Angeles Lakers are on an 8-game winning streak after beating the Knicks in overtime. Currently, they occupy the No. 2 seed in the West, and LeBron James won the February player of the month award. Yes, the Purple and Gold franchise is hot currently, and ever since Luka Doncic joined them, they haven’t looked back. Naturally, their undefeated streak in the NBA will generate some conversation. But Charles Barkley was not a fan of them.

Especially when those conversations and narrative-building stem from ESPN. Earlier this week, Kendrick Perkins said, “Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA.” Which tipped off Sir Charles and his rant on Inside the NBA. But the Celtics legend wasn’t going to back down. “Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I’ll be around.”

Perkins continued 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 a– like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409 homeboy and we bar none and fade all.” The 40-year-old threatened and sent a warning to a TNT analyst.

On the contrary, Stephen A. Smith used another way to respond to his “brother,” Sir Charles. But he did caution for the upcoming season, as ESPN and Inside the NBA join hands thanks to the new media deal.