Charles Barkley is one such person who is never afraid to voice an opinion. At times he can get brutally honest about players or a situation involving players. There is an ongoing debate on whether NBA players of today are “softer” than the ones of old. While both eras have a couple of things in common, in terms of physicality, they are polar opposites. Today, the league focuses heavily on safeguarding athletes to avoid career-threatening injuries.
While the former Phoenix Suns MVP earns a fortune by using his knowledge of the sport, Kevin Durant does not approve of Barkley’s views. The two have a bad history together. Back in 2021, Chuckster critiqued Durant saying, “If you ain’t driving the bus, don’t walk around talking about you a champion.” This was an opinion made on KD’s stint with the Warriors. Charles claimed that Durant was more or less a filler rather than a leader.
The 2x NBA Finals MVP slammed Barkley instantly, saying, “I don’t know why they still ask for this idiot’s opinion.” Since these comments came out, the pair have not had a good relationship. And this isn’t the first time Charles Barkley has been called out for his words either. Chuck has shared opinions on various socio-political topics that have never aged well with the public.
Charles Barkley believes today’s generation of players can’t be criticized
Even though Charles Barkley has a controversial side, it has never stopped him from being an absolute fan favorite. For over two decades, Chuck has been providing his expert opinions as a panelist on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Fans love seeing Charles and his NBA buddy, Shaquille O’Neal go at it with each other. However, Barkley recently stirred the pot again and called KD a “sensitive” person.
Chuck vs. KD Pt. 3890 👀 pic.twitter.com/hyLeKuXAD8
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 31, 2023
During an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Barkley was asked to give his opinion on Durant. He said, “He’s very sensitive. Great player. He’s part of that generation who think he can’t be criticized. He’s never looked in the mirror and said, ‘Man, was that a fair criticism?’” Charles further stated that calling today’s generation a “little more sensitive” than his would be an understatement.
The host countered Barkley’s words by bringing up his estranged companion, Michael Jordan. The GOAT and Charles were extremely close back in the day, but a comment on the Hornets was what triggered Jordan to sever ties with Barkley. The latter claimed that Jordan merely disagreed with something he said. On the other hand, his comments on KD may or may not cause a reaction that fans are surely waiting to witness.
