On Sunday, former NBA star forward Charles Barkley made headlines when he slammed the city of San Francisco during the live broadcast of the NBA All-Star Game.
The incident occurred on TNT’s alternate broadcast, where Barkley and fellow analysts, including Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller and Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green, were discussing the location for the 2024 All-Star game, which will take place in Indianapolis.
Green kicked off the conversation by complaining about the cold temperatures in Indianapolis over the weekend. “Hey Reggie we love you, let’s not have another All-Star [game] in Indiana. Let’s let this be the last one, my friend,” Green stated.
Seemingly in agreement with Green, Barkley threw a jab at the city of San Francisco, the home of Green’s team. “Hey Reggie, if you had a chance of being in the cold, or being around a bunch of homeless crooks in San Francisco, which would you take?” Barkley asked, sparking a heated discussion among the analysts.
Barkley’s comment about the city’s homeless population and high crime rates did not sit well with his fellow commentators. “We love San Francisco,” repeated commentator Candace Parker, attempting to downplay Barkley’s remark. However, Barkley continued to express his negative opinion on the city, stating, “No we don’t. You can’t even walk around down there.” Green, who seemed frustrated with Barkley’s criticism, replied defensively, “Yes, you can walk around!”
Barkley is known for his candid and often controversial commentary on both sports and political issues, and this is not the first time he has criticized San Francisco. During Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks, Barkley made a dig at the city’s “dirty streets” during a rainstorm. He stated, “The bad thing about all this rain, it’s not raining in San Francisco to clean up those dirty-a** streets they got there.”
The city of San Francisco has been facing a growing homeless problem and an increase in drug-related incidents in recent months. In November of last year, authorities were accused of clearing homeless encampments and open-air drug markets before the APEC Summit, where top world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Xinping, were in attendance. Barkley’s comments regarding the city’s crime and homeless issues have struck a chord with many, drawing attention to the city’s ongoing problems.
Barkley out here ROASTING the city of San Francisco. #NBAAllStar2024 #Indy pic.twitter.com/arIwbRYufr
— Hammer and Nigel (@hammerandnigel) February 19, 2024
San Francisco, a city that has been plagued by record levels of overdose deaths and a worsening homeless crisis, is set to host the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, with the All-Star Game taking place at the Warriors’ Chase Arena. This announcement has sparked further debates and raised concerns about the city’s ability to handle the influx of visitors and showcase itself as a desirable location for major events.
Barkley’s controversial remarks have once again sparked a conversation about the state of San Francisco and its ability to effectively address its ongoing issues. While some may see his comments as harsh or unfounded, it cannot be denied that the city has been struggling with significant problems that need to be addressed. As the city prepares to host the NBA All-Star Game in 2025, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken to improve the city’s image and address the issues raised by Barkley and others.
