Charles Barkley is never afraid to speak his mind, and once again, he’s gone viral for doing just that. During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, the Hall of Famer offered brutally honest advice to young NBA players: the first thing they should do after entering the league is get rid of their family and friends.
According to Barkley, those closest to players are often the ones who bring them down, not by malice, but by blind dependence and unchecked influence.
“It’s very easy to get in trouble. You’ve got drugs, alcohol, women, trouble’s always there. It’s at home too. Nobody helps you navigate it. The first thing you’ve got to do is get rid of your family and friends, because they’re the biggest freeloaders and they’ll never tell you no. They’ll use up all your money. And they won’t stop you.”
“You’ve got to surround yourself with a few people who, number one, will tell you no. People who’ll tell you how to invest your money, how to save it. Someone who’ll say, ‘Hey, you’ve had too much to drink,’ or ‘We shouldn’t be doing this, pot, cocaine, whatever it is.’ That’s the hardest part.”
“Surrounding yourself with people like that. These kids today, they’ve got the same temptations. The difference is they’ve got more of it, and more money. But the dangers are the same. Women, alcohol, drugs, they’re everywhere, whether you’re at home or on the road. And if you don’t control them, they will control you.”
Barkley’s stance isn’t rooted in arrogance. It’s born from experience. During his playing days, the 11-time All-Star had his fair share of off-court incidents, often fueled by alcohol and late-night distractions.
Barkley told Patrick he was lucky to avoid deeper trouble, admitting he never got into drugs and only smoked marijuana a handful of times. But he made it clear: he could have easily gone down a darker path if he hadn’t been careful.
It’s not just about vices either. Barkley’s core message was about control and discipline, and how easily both can be lost when the people around you depend on your income. He noted that many players go broke because they try to take care of too many people, with no one telling them to slow down.
It’s a cycle that has claimed countless athletes across generations, and Barkley’s message was clear: if no one around you can say “stop,” you’re already in danger.
Love him or hate him, Charles Barkley continues to use his platform to say what others won’t. In this case, it’s not just a hot take, it’s a warning.
