TNT analyst Charles Barkley has apologized for comments he made regarding Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green saying on Tuesday’s broadcast that “I just want somebody to punch him in the face”.
“I said something that I shouldn’t have said,” Barkley said on Waddle & Silvy on ESPN 1000 in Chicago (h/t ESPN). “I want to be man enough to apologize. I was 100 percent wrong.”
Barkley made the comments during TNT’s broadcast of Game 2 between the Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans as the broadcast crew watched highlights of Green and Pelicans point guard Rajon Rondo getting in one another’s face as the first half was closing out.
“A lot of guys talk on TV,” Green said after the game about Barkley’s comments. “If you feel that strongly about something, he’s even seen me a million times, then punch me in my face when you see me. If you’re not going to punch me in my face when you see me, then shut up.”
“I wasn’t literally going to fight an NBA player,” Barkley said. “If he took it like that, I apologize.” Barkley continued by saying that he “probably said the same thing about Dennis Rodman, but I thought I actually did punch him when he played.”
Barkley called Green “annoying” and referenced players such as Rodman and Bill Laimbeer who played for the Detroit Pistons together for several seasons.
“Those guys who are irritants who are all good players, but they can be annoying at times,” Barkley said. “But like I said, I was wrong when I said it, and I shouldn’t have said it.”
Barkley said that Green was annoying because he is often left unguarded and when he connects on a 3-point shot he yells at the opposing coach.