Charles Barkley on Bucks: ‘They’ve got some punks in that locker room’

Charles Barkley will always speak his mind, forever and ever amen. He did so on Sunday about the Milwaukee Bucks.

“They’ve got some punks in that damn Milwaukee locker room,” Barkley said on ESPN’s Inside the NBA. “When you leak what happens in team meetings, you a punk.”

Barkley was referring to the news that coach Doc Rivers told a player to “check my resume” during a team meeting. Rivers, by the way, is out as Bucks coach after a disappointing, rumor-filled season.

Most of it wasn’t Rivers’ fault, but the coach is going to take the blame. That’s just how pro sports work.

Anyway, Barkley told co-analyst Kenny Smith that what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room.

“You know that what happens in a locker room is sacred,” Barkley said. “You’ve seen fights, you’ve seen players fight and coaches fight, correct? That should never get to the press.”

He went on to say leaking Rivers’ comments to the media was a “punk-a** move, in my opinion.”

But, let’s be real, that’s probably the least of the Bucks’ worries right now. They have to figure out what will become of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who many believe could request a trade this summer. GM Jon Horst acknowledged the tension, but indicated he thinks the relationship is salvagable.

All we do know is the Bucks missed the playoffs, Rivers won’t be coach, and Barkley thinks the locker room needs work. He may be right, too.