Charles Barkley rips Lakers' JJ Redick to shreds after rookie HC calls out media amid ratings slump

Last month, LA Lakers coach JJ Redick attributed the NBA's reported ratings decline to its critical media coverage. However, two weeks later, NBA legend-turned-TNT analyst Charles Barkley pushed back, blasting Redick and the Lakers for contributing to the league's waning appeal.

Much has been made about the NBA's apparent popularity decrease over the first third of the season, with numerous reports emerging about diminishing television viewership. In late December, Redick weighed in, making the case for the league needing more positive TV coverage to attract "casual fans."

"I don't think we … have done a good job of storytelling, of celebrating the game," Redick said. "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. And that's really what has happened over the last 10 to 15 years. I don't know why. It's not funny to me. This game should be celebrated."

Redick didn't call out any analysts directly. Nevertheless, some perceived his comments as a slight toward TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew. Barkley and Co. have long been among the most outspoken critics of the modern-day league's lack of toughness and increased emphasis on 3-point shooting.

During Thursday's TNT coverage of the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves' matchup, Barkley referenced Redick's media gripe. The Hall of Famer went on a nearly minute-long rant, targeting the NBA's outside shooting revolution and LA's rest-of-season prospects.

"He said something about (how) we're the reason people aren't watching this crappy product we've got. Yeah, us, like we're out there jacking up 100 3s a night," Barkley said.

"JJ, you come for the king, you better not miss because I can get you, brother. Remember, I've got your Lakers' games. You can't hide the flaws they've got."

Barkley later challenged the rookie coach's job security amid the Lakers' middling 18-14 start. He added that JJ Redick hasn't done anything to change the franchise's outlook despite the preseason hype surrounding his innovative coaching philosophies.

"You are just a dead man walking," Barkley said. "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 here thinking you were gonna change things with the same ugly girl you went on a date with ... put some makeup on that pig. The Lakers stink, man."

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Charles Barkley may have proved JJ Redick's point with his latest rant

While Charles Barkley seemingly bested JJ Redick on Thursday, many quickly pointed out that his rant may have proved the first-time coach's point.

Barkley's comments came while covering the highlights of two of the NBA's premier teams, the reigning NBA champion Celtics and 2024 Western Conference finalist Timberwolves. Instead of discussing the game, the 1993 MVP seized the opportunity to fire back at Redick.

Nevertheless, with six teams attempting 40-plus triples a night, up from one last season, the criticism surrounding the league's playstyle appears unlikely to stop soon.

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