Charles Barkley: Lakers And Suns ‘Suck’ Because Of Players, Not Coaches

May 2, 2024

Charles Barkley takes a lot of heat, but no one can ever accuse him of refusing to say what he really thinks.

He wishes other NBA analysts would do the same.

Barkley spoke from his pulpit on TNT’s Inside the NBA about the rumors surrounding Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham and Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel. Both are said to be on the hot seat. In fact, most will tell you that neither will be in his current position soon.

But Barkley suggested that both are doing a fine job — and it’s the players who should be called out. He added that no other analyst has the guts to say the same.

“A lot of these guys on television, they’re cowards,” Barkley said on the set. “They want the players to like them, they don’t want to do their job — which is to tell the truth.

“And I just want to say this about coaching: Anybody who thinks the Lakers suck is because of Darvin Ham, and the reason the Suns suck is because of Frank Vogel … you don’t know what you’re talking about.

“Frank Vogel is a hell of a coach. Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach who’s trying to get his career started. But for all you punks, jackasses and idiots on other networks, who want to be media and want all the players to like y’all, do your damn job.”

Barkley went on to rip the rosters of the Lakers and Suns.

“The Lakers suck and the Suns suck because of the players. It has nothing to do with the coaches. I feel better now.”

Agree or disagree with Barkley’s NBA takes, say this much — they’re also strong, to the point, and incredibly honest. Nor does he care who thinks what about those takes.