Charles Barkley weighed in on some pretty controversial topics Thursday night on TNT. Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley: 'We need to stop that defund or abolish the cops' talk

Hall of Famer and "Inside the NBA" host Charles Barkley is sick of the crowd that has been calling for the police to be defunded. 

Barkley delivered a speech on TNT on Thursday, saying the answer to police brutality and social injustice in America is not taking away money from the police. 

Instead of defunding the police, Barkley says the solution is in police and prison reform.

"I hear these fools on TV talking about defund the police and things like that -- we need police reform and prison reform and things like that," Barkley said."Because you know who ain't going to defund the cops? White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods."

Barkley also commented on the Breonna Taylor case, saying he doesn't believe it's in the same vein as what George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery went through, adding that Taylor's boyfriend did shoot at the cops. 

One of Barkley's co-hosts, Shaquille O'Neal, agreed with him, saying that carrying out a warrant is part of the police officer's job. 

Social justice and police brutality issues have been a focal point of the NBA's season resumption at Walt Disney World. Games even were halted last month as players protested following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Bills become latest team to try to fix talented, unproductive wide receiver
Dolphins add another star playmaker on offense
Insider addresses if Patriots will trade for star 49ers WR
Former 49ers quarterback makes feelings on Brock Purdy clear
Insider shares confusing trade updates on Mets' Pete Alonso
Rams GM details plan to lure Aaron Donald out of retirement
NFC East check-in: Most, least improved position groups post-draft
Pacers ride bench to first playoff series win in 10 years
Knicks guard joins NBA royalty in closeout win against 76ers
Maple Leafs force Game 7 with 2-1 win over Bruins
Georgia makes Kirby Smart the highest-paid coach in college football
Dodgers ace to make first start in nearly two years on Monday
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott provides significant update on contract negotiations
Clippers will need to fight for their playoff lives in Game 6 without injured star
Why Steelers declining RB Najee Harris' fifth-year option does, doesn't make sense
Watch: Grandson of Red Sox legend homers at Fenway Park
Suns owner after disastrous season: 'The house is not on fire'
Knicks' Villanova trio knocks out the 76ers in Philadelphia
Chargers add another target for QB Justin Herbert
Report: If Lakers fire Darvin Ham, ESPN analyst would be candidate

Want more NBA news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.