Charles Barkley isn’t exactly the type of person to sit on his feelings so it came as no surprise that the Auburn legend and NBA Hall of Fame had some feelings on Kyrie Irving.
Kyrie Irving spoke with New York media on Monday, addressing everything going on with him — even his “pawns” comment that seemed to be directed at all members of the media. Still, some aren’t satisfied. Among those who are sick of Kyrie Irving is Hall of Fame forward turned TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley, who laid into Brooklyn’s point guard during an appearance on ESPN Radio Thursday.
“I’m not sure what he’s doing. I don’t like it,” Barkley said. “You know, they don’t pay you $40 million dollars just to play basketball. Part of it is sitting down with you guys, sitting down with me and Kenny [Smith] and Ernie [Johnson] and [Shaquille O’Neal], talking to New York reporters. Talking with the media is part of your professional obligation. And you can say what you want to say. But these guys today, they’re different. I don’t hate on them, but I’m not sure what point Kyrie is trying to make.
“And when he talks I’m like ‘what the hell is he trying… what is he saying and what is he trying to say?’ He starts talking about what an artist is. He’s a basketball player. That’s what he is. Listen, we’re not… we’re not frontline responders. We’re not teachers. Yo man, you dribble a basketball, stop acting like you’re the smartest person in the world.
“Now can you talk about social issues and things like that? Of course. But some of this other stuff I’m like ‘yo man, you do realize you’re just a basketball player, right?’ And it seems like he’s like ‘no I want you guys to realize I’m the smartest guy in the room.’”
When Barkley speaks, he doesn’t hold back. You have to respect that.