Charles Barkley Calls Out ESPN For Prioritizing Lakers Coaching Speculation Over NBA Finals

Charles Barkley, the outspoken former NBA player and current TNT analyst, recently voiced his displeasure with ESPN’s coverage leading up to Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. In an interview with Outkick host Dan Dakich, Barkley criticized the network for dedicating a significant portion of its pre-game coverage to speculation about the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching vacancy, rather than focusing on the championship series.

“Whoever’s doing that program has to be the stupidest, most boneheaded people in the world,” Barkley said, questioning the decision-making of those in charge of ESPN’s programming. The 1993 NBA MVP expressed his frustration with the network’s choice to prioritize discussion about UConn coach Dan Hurley’s potential move to the Lakers, a team that had been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, over the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals.

Barkley, known for his frank and often controversial opinions, acknowledged his fondness for Hurley but emphasized that there is a time and place for discussing coaching vacancies, and the lead-up to the championship series was not the appropriate moment. He concluded his remarks with one of his trademark “Come on, man” reactions.

The Celtics dominated the Mavericks in Game 1, winning 107-89 in a game that was not as close as the final score suggests. Barkley’s criticism of ESPN’s coverage underscores the importance of focusing on the games at hand, particularly when it comes to the championship series in both the NBA and NHL.

As the NBA Finals continue and ESPN prepares to cover Game 2 on Sunday, it remains to be seen whether the network will adjust its coverage to prioritize the on-court action or continue to focus on off-court speculation.