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Charles Barkley Has Warning For Lakers Coach JJ Redick

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 3, 2025 11:22 AM ET

The discussion on the NBA's ratings and the evolution of the sport has tapered after strong performances on Christmas Day, but a war of words between two former players is reginiting the conversation.

Before the Christmas Day ratings boost, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick was asked about the state of the NBA and what he would do to improve it.

Redick placed part of the blame on the national media, noting that they often approach the sport from a negative perspective, leading fans to tune out.

"If I'm a casual fan, and you tell me every time I turn on the television that the product sucks, well, I'm not going to watch the product," Redick said when asked about the decline in ratings.

After the new year, the always outspoken Charles Barkley responded to Redick during Thursday's TNT NBA coverage. During the highlights for the Boston Celtics-Minnesota Timberwolves game, Barkley began to discuss Redick's take on the media.

"He said something about we're the reason people ain't watching this crappy product we got. Yeah, us, like we're out there jacking up 100 threes a night," Barkley began.

"JJ, you come for the king, you better not miss. Because I can get you, brother. Remember, I got your Lakers games. You can’t hide them flaws they got. You’re just a dead man walking. They got rid of Frank Vogel, who did a good job, they got rid of Darvin Ham, who did a good job. But you came out there thinking you were gonna change things with that same ugly girl you went on a date with."

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: D'Angelo Russell #1 head coach JJ Redick and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddle prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Jason Miller/Getty Images

Barkley's rant may have motivated Redick and the Lakers on Thursday night, as they picked up a 114-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at home. The Lakers are currently sixth in the Western conference, a half-game behind the fourth-place Denver Nuggets.

It's an improvement for a Lakers team that has been hovering around the play-in over the last few years. If Redick can get the Lakers a top-six seed this season, it will be a notable accomplishment for a first-year, first-time head coach managing one of the league's most success-oriented media markets.

We'll see how the rest of the season goes for Barkley and the Inside the NBA crew, who will see change of their own next season. The show will be moving to ESPN after the end of Turner Sports' relationship with the NBA.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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