Charles Barkley has joined the long list of NBA figures to speak out against Kyrie Irving after calling the media “pawns.” In an appearance on 92.9 “The Game,” Barkley insisted something just wasn’t quite right with the Nets star.
“I wish somebody would get in his ear. I do think there is something wrong with Kyrie, I truly believe that. I’m not joking right now,” Barkley said. “I don’t understand what his objective is. Yo man they’re paying you $40 million, you gotta just talk to the press. You can answer the questions you want to, you got to show up and answers questions. I tell all these guys, ‘Man we’re the luckiest dudes in the world. We make millions of dollars just playing a stupid game and part of it is coming on radio shows, talking to the press. They got jobs to do.”
Barkley has said many controversial things himself over the years, but this particular statement got sweeping support from the NBA community.
Despite Kyrie’s gripes with his media coverage, it’s part of his job to speak with them and allow them access. Not only is the media a way for the fans to connect with the league, but it’s also responsible for giving the NBA the platform that it has. It’s because of the media and the way that fans are allowed to connect with the players that make the league so successful.
No word yet has been passed on if Kyrie will continue his boycott, but there will be more fines to come if he does.
