Sports analyst Shannon Sharpe Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley criticizes Shannon Sharpe over Grizzlies-Lakers incident

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/25/23

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has shared his thoughts on the actions of Shannon Sharpe during this past Friday's game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers.

"Reporters can never get into it with players," Barkley, a Turner Sports personality, told Justin Termine and Eddie Johnson during a SiriusXM NBA Radio appearance, as shared by Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing. "That’s my rule of thumb, because, you know, we get paid to talk about these guys. And if you hate guys or don’t get along with guys, you’re gonna be somewhat biased whether you believe it or not."

Barkley added that he was "not saying anybody was right or wrong" but was merely pointing out somebody such as Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Fox Sports television host, should "never get into it with the players."

“Reporters can never get into it with players”

Charles Barkley shares his thoughts on Shannon Sharpe’s encounter with Memphis Grizzlies players. @TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 pic.twitter.com/0l4NweI9gk
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 24, 2023

Sharpe went viral ahead of the weekend when he and Dillon Brooks of the Grizzlies yelled toward each other before Tee Morant, the father of Memphis' Ja Morant, approached the retired football player. Sharpe later told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he initially yelled that Brooks "was too small" to guard Lakers superstar LeBron James and that Brooks responded with an f-bomb.

As mentioned by McMenamin and TMZ Sports, Sharpe briefly left his seat before he returned to watch the rest of the game which the Lakers won 122-121. Cameras showed Sharpe and Tee Morant making amends at the end of the third quarter and following the contest.

During Monday's edition of "Undisputed," Sharpe offered what seemed to be a sincere apology and accepted "full responsibility for what transpired" at the arena. On Tuesday, Awful Announcing's Michael Grant suggested Sharpe had been involved in some "performance art" meant to generate attention, views, and clicks for "Undisputed."

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