NBA legend Charles Barkley has never been afraid to voice out his opinions. He’s received blowbacks many times in the past but they still don’t stop him from expressing himself.
Tonight was no different.
He said on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” that he doesn’t agree with the calls for defunding the police in the wake of social injustice issues and reported police abuse. He instead stressed the importance of system reform.
Charles Barkley says defunding police is a ridiculous idea. “Who are black people supposed to call? The Ghostbusters?” pic.twitter.com/LlJQfLzxUq
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 25, 2020
The clamor to defund the police has gotten even louder in the last few hours in light of the jury decision to acquit Louisville police offers in the shooting of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor last March.
The highly controversial case has been a rallying cry for many superstar athletes and well-known figures in sports, including the likes of LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, Dak Prescott, and Lewis Hamilton. They have voiced their indignation and disbelief over the latest development and continue to call for more accountability from the police.
Apparently, the 57-year-old Barkley isn’t exactly echoing their sentiment.
He also said Taylor’s case shouldn’t be grouped with the respective cases of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery since Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired on the plain-clothed police officers who entered their home.
“I feel sad that this young lady lost her life. I think the no-knock warrant is something we need to get rid of across the board. But I am worried to lump all these situations in together.”
Charles Barkley doesn't think the Breonna Taylor situation is similar to the George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery cases because her boyfriend fired shot at police officers.pic.twitter.com/U3yEwdrS0y
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 25, 2020
It’s not surprising that Barkley’s comments have received backlash on social media.
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