Charles Barkley has Shaq losing it after going OFF on Kendrick Perkins and ESPN 😂

There are few things in sports television more entertaining—and more honest—than Charles Barkley on a roll. On a recent episode of *Inside the NBA*, Barkley, never one to hold back, delivered a fiery rant that had his co-host Shaquille O’Neal in stitches and the entire basketball world buzzing. His target? Kendrick Perkins, ESPN, and the never-ending obsession with the Lakers and Warriors. But beneath the laughter and the jabs, Barkley’s words struck a deeper chord about what’s really happening in the NBA—and what the media so often misses.

The Spark: Barkley Calls Out ESPN and Kendrick Perkins

It all began with Barkley’s reaction to a segment he’d seen on ESPN. “I saw a fool idiot on TV talking about the Lakers save the NBA, save the NBA—yeah, yeah, he’s an idiot and a fool,” Barkley said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and exasperation. Shaq, sitting next to him, could barely contain his laughter. “But he know he is. What’s his name, Shaq? Which one you talking about?” Shaq replied, playing along. “Kendrick Perkins,” Barkley answered, making it clear who the “idiot” was in his eyes.

Barkley’s frustration wasn’t just about Perkins; it was about the entire sports media landscape. “He said the Lakers… first of all, the Lakers have had a great two weeks. He said the Lakers saved the NBA season. That’s because them fools on the other network—which we’re going to be working for next year, that’s all they talk about.”

Charles Barkley has Shaq losing it after going OFF on Kendrick Perkins and ESPN  😂 - YouTube

The jab was vintage Barkley—blunt, self-aware, and tinged with the kind of humor that makes even his harshest criticisms hard to take personally. But his point was serious: the media’s obsession with big-market teams like the Lakers and Warriors comes at the expense of other, equally deserving stories.

The Real Stories: Cavaliers and Thunder

Barkley didn’t stop at calling out the talking heads. He made it clear that while the Lakers and Warriors are always in the spotlight, teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder are being ignored. “The reason the season’s been going great is for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Y’all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers. They’re both doing great, don’t get me wrong. If I turn out to be wrong, I got no problem with that. But y’all are idiots ‘cause y’all talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time.”

He pointed out that the Cavaliers had won 12 straight games, and the Thunder were on fire with an MVP-caliber player leading the way. “Y’all are talking about who’s in second place. That’s the reason I get pissed. The Lakers are doing great, I don’t mind being wrong. The Warriors are doing great. But Oklahoma City and the Cavs been balling for six months. Y’all talking about teams that had two great weeks.”

Shaq, loving every minute, egged Barkley on, laughing and riffing with him as only he can. “I get what you’re saying, you just at the whole network—they talk about the industry, the whole industry. They talk about the same stuff every single day.” The camaraderie between the two Hall of Famers was on full display, turning Barkley’s rant into a comedic highlight reel.

The Media Cycle: Same Old Stories

Barkley’s critique didn’t end with the Lakers and Warriors. He took aim at the endless debates that dominate sports talk, particularly the tired LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan argument. “Between that and this lame-ass LeBron-Michael Jordan debate, which is lame—I’ve said it for years, the only people talk about LeBron and Michael is people on television who got no talent to talk about anything else. I’ve been saying that for years. I ain’t hanging on to the ‘90s. I’ve always said LeBron’s great, Michael’s great, but y’all talk about it all the time.”

For Barkley, the constant recycling of the same narratives is a sign of creative laziness. “Then you got LeBron out there posing, talking about he all mad about being the face of the league. But it makes me mad—the Oklahoma City and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the two best stories in the NBA this year. Congratulations to the Lakers and the Warriors, they’ve had two good weeks. The Cavs and OKC have had six great months.”

Shaq Loses It

As Barkley’s rant reached its crescendo, Shaq could barely keep it together. He was laughing so hard he could hardly speak, and the rest of the studio crew joined in. Barkley, for his part, wasn’t fazed. He was just getting started.

“Tell us how you really feel, Chuck,” Shaq said, wiping tears from his eyes. “Yeah, tell us, birthday man!” someone else chimed in, reminding everyone that it was Shaq’s birthday.

Barkley grinned, “I’m good now. Happy birthday, big fella! Happy birthday, Kenneth!” The laughter continued, but Barkley’s points lingered in the air, impossible to ignore.

Beyond the Rant: Why Barkley’s Words Matter

It’s easy to dismiss Barkley’s rants as just another bit of sports entertainment. After all, *Inside the NBA* is as much about laughs as it is about analysis. But Barkley’s criticism of the media’s focus is rooted in a real frustration shared by many fans. In an era where highlight reels and superstar drama dominate the headlines, the day-to-day excellence of teams like the Cavaliers and Thunder often goes unnoticed.

The NBA is a league of stories, and Barkley wants those stories told. He wants credit given where it’s due, not just to the teams with the biggest followings or the flashiest stars. His call for balance isn’t just about fairness—it’s about celebrating the full spectrum of what makes the NBA great.

The Enduring Appeal of Barkley and Shaq

What makes moments like this so powerful is the authenticity behind them. Barkley and Shaq, for all their jokes and jabs, genuinely love the game. They’ve lived it at the highest level, and they care deeply about its future. Their willingness to say what others won’t—and to do it with humor—has made *Inside the NBA* must-watch television.

As the segment wrapped up, the crew shifted to discuss injuries and upcoming games. But the impact of Barkley’s words lingered. Fans took to social media to echo his sentiments, praising his honesty and calling for more attention to the league’s unsung heroes.

Conclusion: A Call for Real Basketball Talk

Charles Barkley’s rant was more than just a comedic moment—it was a reminder of what sports media can and should be. It’s about telling the whole story, not just the easy one. It’s about giving credit to teams like the Cavaliers and Thunder who are excelling, not just the Lakers and Warriors when they have a hot streak. And it’s about moving beyond tired debates to celebrate the richness of the NBA.

As long as Barkley and Shaq are on the air, fans can count on getting the real story—unfiltered, unapologetic, and always entertaining. And maybe, just maybe, the rest of the sports world will start paying attention to what really matters, too.

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