Kendrick Perkins and JJ Redick got into an argument on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday morning, with Perkins arguing that NBA MVP voters have a racial bias toward Nuggets center Nikola Jokić. That debate caught the attention of many in the industry, including TNT analyst Charles Barkley.
While appearing on Denver’s Altitude Sports Radio 92.5, Barkley criticized Perkins for crafting outlandish takes just for entertainment purposes on ESPN. The TNT analyst accused ESPN talking heads of constantly talking down MVP candidates specifically.
“I always talk about ESPN disease,” Barkley said. “A lot of these guys, when they get on TV and stuff, they’re like, ‘Well I’m on ESPN; I got to say something provocative.’ And you know the thing about it, you’re always gonna get some fools out there, you guys probably get some fools calling in agreeing with him. … I can promise you this: I’ve never said anything on television just to get clicks.”
