Charles Barkley brands JJ Redick ‘dead man walking’ after Lakers coach blamed NBA coverage for bad TV ratings
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t even say Charles Barkley’s name in his recent condemnation of league broadcasters, but the Inside the NBA co-host still got his revenge during Thursday’s broadcast.
“JJ, you’re coming for the king you better not miss because I can get your brother,” the 61-year-old Hall of Famer told Redick from the safety of TNT’s studios in Atlanta.
Barkley then described Redick as a “dead man walking” due to his team’s up-and-down season: “The Lakers stink, man.”
The turmoil began over a week earlier, when Redick was asked about the NBA’s disappointing TV ratings through the first few months of the season.
ESPN’s five-game Christmas Day has since averaged 5.34 million viewers, which is an impressive 87 percent increase for the network compared to a season ago. However, the NBA was dealing with an 18 percent Nielsen dip before the holidays, which many — including Barkley — have blamed on a number of specific criticisms of the league: too much three-point shooting, teams resting stars too often and a overall lack of competitiveness.
Before a game against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 19, Redick delivered an emphatic rejection of the criticism the NBA has faced. He also seemed to reference the Inside the NBA crew.
Charles Barkley was highly critical of NBA players’ overreliance on three-point shooting
Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks with guard Max Christie in Los Angeles on Tuesday
“I don’t think we… did a good job of telling stories, celebrating the game,” Redick said. “If I’m a casual fan and every time I turn on the TV you tell me the product sucks, then I’m not going to watch the product. And that’s really what’s happened over the last 10 to 15 years. I don’t know why. I don’t think it’s funny.’
Again, Redick did not mention Barkley or refer to Sir Charles’ co-hosts, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith or Ernie Johnson.
But Barkley took the comment as criticism of his work anyway and spent most of a highlight reel Thursday night ripping the Lakers Coach.
“He said something about, ‘What are the reasons why people don’t watch this crappy product that we have,’ like we’re making a hundred threes a night there,” Barkley began.
Barkley’s criticism of the NBA’s overreliance on three-point shooting is nothing new, and league players are once again on track to set a new record for attempts this season.
But while Redick was one of the players who popularized three-point shooting in the 2010s, Barkley instead turned his attention to the first-year coach’s job security.
“JJ, you’re coming for the king you better not miss, ’cause I can get your brother,” Barkley said in his Alabama drawl. “Don’t forget, I have your Lakers games. You can’t hide the flaws they have. You’re just a dead man walking.”
(L-R) Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA
Barkley was quick to remind Redick that his predecessors in Los Angeles had been fired with records comparable to the Lakers’ current 19-14.
“They got rid of Frank Vogel, who did a good job,” Barkley said. “They got rid of Darvin Ham, who was doing well. You came out thinking you were going to change things with that same ugly girl you dated.
“He came in there and thought, ‘I can make this thing work,’” Barkley continued. ‘Damn, that’s possible! Put some makeup on that pig! The Lakers stink, man.”
As usual, Barkley received high praise for his commentary.
“Hates the NBA but still loves Charles,” someone wrote on X. “Damn, he’s funny.”
“Charles Barkley is downright hilarious,” one fan added.
Another responder noted: ‘That’s why he’s Sir Charles.’
But not everyone was on Barkley’s side.
“Chuck just proves JJ’s point,” one fan wrote on That’s all they do. They provide no analysis or insight into the game. They hardly watch hoop.’