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Charles Barkley 'embarrassed' by NBA Cup

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated Dec 17, 2025 2:32 AM ET

When it comes to the NBA Cup, some fans love it, others aren’t too keen on it. NBA legend Charles Barkley is on the latter side of this topic. He believes having the NBA Cup is embarrassing.

“I think the [NBA] Cup thing is somewhat embarrassing,” Barkley said. “I’m disappointed that we have to make an in-season tournament to make these guys more money so they won’t do load management.

“But to have to pay these guys extra money to make them play other games. They should play basketball because they’re well-compensated to play basketball. To do an in-season tournament to make them extra money, come on, man. That’s a little bit ridiculous.”

Charles Barkley says the NBA Cup is ‘embarrassing’:

“I’m disappointed that we have to make an in-season tournament to make these guys more money.”

(via TomTolbertShow / YT, h/t @awfulannouncing) pic.twitter.com/MEgSeE9o4l

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 16, 2025

Barkley is absolutely correct. The idea of paying players more money just to motivate them to compete harder during the season is laughable. This is why the NBA has lost the casual fan, and may never get them back.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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