Charles Barkley Eviscerates Kyrie Irving Over Media ‘Pawns’ Comments

Charles Barkley is a guy who has no problem talking to just about anyone. The former NBA star is now a star of the media, and he never holds back on his feelings. Kyrie Irving recently called the media pawns in response to him declaring he didn’t want to speak to the media, instead opting to let his play do the talking.

"I do not talk to Pawns."

Kyrie Irving responds following being fined by the NBA for failure to comply with the league's media requirements. pic.twitter.com/WPgj3MPZXH

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 11, 2020

Charles responded to his comments:

“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?’” said Barkley. “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.’ Well first of all, you’re not. You only went to college for six months. A lot of guys are smarter than you are. Just answer stupid basketball questions. And if you want to say something about social justice, say it and mean it, because it’s important and significant. But all that other stuff? Like, yo man, shut the hell up and talk basketball.”

Charles Barkley tells Kyrie Irving to “stop acting like the smartest guy in the world” #KJZ pic.twitter.com/i6A3YZGIjo

— Keyshawn, JWill & Max (@KeyJayandMax) December 17, 2020

Charles comes from a different era of professional basketball players. They don’t make them like Chuck anymore.  But just imagine if Charles had to play with Social Media.

He might not have made it out alive.

Charles is spot on with his Kyrie critique.

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