CHARLES Barkley took aim at coaching critics following the exits of the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs.
Both LeBron James’ Lakers and Kevin Durant’s Suns fell at the first hurdle thanks to the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.
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Their defeats led to suggestions that coaches Darvin Ham and Frank Vogel could be in danger of losing their jobs.
However, Inside The NBA analyst Barkley felt the blame was being shared unfairly.
“A lot of these people on television are cowards because they want the players to like them,” he said.
“They don’t want to do their job, which is to tell the truth.
“And I just want to say this about coaching. Anyone who thinks the reason the Lakers suck is because of Darvin Ham or the reason the Suns suck is because of Frank Vogel, you don’t You know what you’re talking about.”
Barkley went on to label media members at other networks who believe Ham and Vogel should be let go as “punks, idiots and idiots”, telling them to do their “damn job”.
“The Lakers suck and the Suns suck because of the players,” he added.
“It has nothing to do with the coaches.”
Instead, Barkley said the people who put together these “trash crews” need to be let go.
The NBA Hall of Famer’s comments drew mixed responses from many on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“He’s not wrong,” said one fan.
“Said perfectly!! Chuck is the best!” a second responded.
In comparison, a third responded: “I agree with Vogel’s sentiment. The ham is really a problem.”
While another added: “Really? Darvin Ham doesn’t call plays.
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“He can’t maintain consistent rotations. He doesn’t know when to call timeout. And he doesn’t know when to challenge.”
Since taking over as Lakers coach last season, Ham has gone 90-74, making the Playoffs both years — only to be eliminated by Denver on both occasions.
Ham is expected to be released soon, according to Jovan Buha in The NBA’s athletic show.
Inside the future of the NBA?
WITHIN the NBA, TNT Sports’ performance is in doubt due to the NBA’s broadcast agreements.
The Emmy-winning sports show is a fan favorite thanks to the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.
But TNT’s broadcast deal with the NBA ends after next season and NBC is said to be lining up a bid to take over those rights.
If TNT loses its NBA package, it will raise questions about the popular Inside the NBA.
One solution could be to recreate the show on another network that snaps up the NBA rights.
Vogel, who previously led the Lakers to the NBA championship, had a 49-33 record in his first season with Phoenix.
On Wednesday, Suns owner Mat Ishbia said he has not yet had any discussions about the future of Vogel, general manager James Jones or any player, according to Arizona Sports.
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