1. It takes a bold individual to go on national television and bash an animal that millions of people have in their homes and love dearly, but according to Charles Barkley, cats are not pets.
After Inside the NBA showed a fan’s tweets that included a GIF of a cat, Kenny Smith revealed that he had a cat.
This triggered Barkley, who said, “A cat is not a real pet. Stop it.”
“Why not?” asked Smith.
“Because it’s not a dog,” Barkley responded.
I love Charles, and I couldn’t care less about cats, but this was not the best retort. However, Barkley wasn’t finished.
The topic came up again later in the show with Barkley reacting to this tweet:
Cats on the way to the studio to confront chuck @NBAonTNT #NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/DmM3qr2NaN
— Marco (@marcobino2003) April 24, 2023
“I don’t dislike cats,” said Barkley. “I just don’t think they’re real pets, Marco.”
“What are they?” asked Smith.
“A dog is a real pet,” man. Stop it,” Barkley declared once again.
“What’s a cat?” Smith asked yet again.
“Just something old women have,” said Barkley.
This might be Charles Barkley’s hottest take yet pic.twitter.com/6tl1XA6nRR
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 24, 2023
You can get away with bashing cats much more than you can get away with bashing dogs, so I wouldn’t say this was totally outlandish from Barkley, but this was still a take that will ruffle some feathers (or whiskers), so that’s always enjoyable.
2. Living in a world where people now routinely tell you things you see with your own eyes and hear with your ears is just so screwed up.
This is what Dillon Brooks said about LeBron James after Memphis beat Los Angeles in Game 2 of their series: “I don’t care; he’s old. You know what I mean? I was waiting for that. I was expecting him to do that Game 4, Game 5. He wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul. He should have been saying that earlier on. But I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40.”
Here’s what Dillon Brooks, who led the NBA with 18 technical fouls this season, said after he was ejected in the Grizzlies’ Game 3 loss Saturday night after hitting James in the nuts.
Dillon Brooks was ejected after receiving a flagrant 2 for this hit to LeBron. pic.twitter.com/LL9CLRAryy
— ESPN (@espn) April 23, 2023
“The media is making me a villain, the fans making me a villain. That just creates another persona on me.”
So to recap: Dillon Brooks led the league in technicals, trash-talked LeBron, then hit LeBron in the nuts, and it’s the media’s fault.
3. Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was recently suspended for 10 games after getting busted with sticky stuff on his hands. The right-hander claimed it was rosin, which he tried to wash off in between innings with rubbing alcohol. On Sunday Night Baseball, former pitcher David Cone showed everyone what happens when you mix rosin and rubbing alcohol.
David Cone did a rosin experiment for Sunday Night Baseball. pic.twitter.com/9WoMCDPI67
— ESPN (@espn) April 24, 2023
4. Knicks forward Josh Hart is just like everyone else when they hear “Don’t Stop Believin’.” When you hear it, you gotta belt it out.
Josh Hart mic'd up😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/yW4KPg42i7
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) April 23, 2023
5. Most of you have probably seen this video of Pete Davidson lightly pushing away an overzealous Knicks fan.
here’s angry pete davidson 💯 pic.twitter.com/WgQsZO2a4H
— Clique Productions (@ImClique_) April 23, 2023
However, this video shows the fan seemed to be harassing Davidson in a very aggressive manner.
Nah bro… that man was on nasty timing I don’t blame Pete Davidson pic.twitter.com/duHwFoHFFL
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 24, 2023
6. The latest episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina features an interview with author, reporter and podcast host Jim Miller about several big stories in the sports media world.
Miller shares his insight into what he thinks will happen with the NBA’s future rights deals regarding TNT, ESPN, NBA, Apple and Amazon. Could the NBA leave Turner and what would that mean for Charles Barkley, who would become the biggest free agent in sports media history.
Miller also shares his thoughts on the upcoming layoffs at ESPN, YouTube’s pricing for NFL Sunday Ticket, the WWE’s upcoming TV deals and a surprise player that could be involved. Miller also weighs in on this season of Succession and gives us an update on the upcoming season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Following Miller, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. Topics covered include the Draymond Green suspension, betting stories, Aaron Rodgers, AirPods and more.
You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on YouTube.