Throughout their years together on the NBA on TNT set, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith have playfully clashed over many issues. Usually, it’s over game-related issues and the arguments rarely spill over into other shows. Kenny and Chuck usually end their arguments with a laugh or Ernie Johnson or Shaquille O’Neal find a way to inject some humor. We’ve rarely seen the two fight over real-world issues, however, when it comes to Ferguson, MO, Charles and Kenny couldn’t be further apart than New York and Los Angeles.

Earlier this week, Barkley went on a Philadelphia radio station condemning the rioters in Ferguson following the grand jury decision that did not indict police officer Darren Wilson. Describing them as “scumbags” and calling out the media’s coverage of those who burned down local businesses, Barkley did not mince any words.

Refusing to be silent, Smith wrote an open letter to Barkley in USA Today to respond to Sir Charles. Kenny started by buttering up his partner:

“…You ARE the greatest Power Forward of all time. It’s not (Tim) Duncan or (Karl) Malone, they had size and height that you weren’t blessed with and you never had near the talent around you that they were blessed to have. Contrarily you took your teams to similar heights. Secondly, you are a champion in my book. Effort and determination is what makes a champion, not a ring.

Lastly, you are the most entertaining person in sports television (partly because I throw you so many assists lol).”

He had to use an “lol” there, didn’t he? Anyway, Smith then got serious saying he “consistently finds interesting” how the media pays attention to his insights on race relations with the same focus as his basketball acumen. And he ramped up from there discussing the struggle in the African American community then addressing Barkley’s “scumbag” comments head on:

“That leads me to the looters and civilians burning buildings which you referred to as ‘scumbags’.  Here’s an analogy: If you put 100 people on an island with no food, no water, no hope of a ship coming, then some will overcome it and be resourceful, some will live in it, others will panic and others will show horrific character, which is wrong. But not to understand that all alternatives are possible is wrong as well.

“I was also disheartened to see the reaction of burning buildings and looters by some. However, when you are in “The Struggle” to not expect that that potential reaction is foolish on our part.

“The real issue is learning to positively manage your anger so you can be heard.  It’s not that they are ‘scumbags’, their emotions won’t allow them to rationally think through their anger. I applaud that you have done a great job in your anger management in recent times … but not always.”

That’s interesting that Smith went for the jugular to raise Barkley’s anger management issue. And Smith concluded with this:

“And you were right Chuck, let’s not discredit that there are great police officers in all neighborhoods, but let’s not credit that we shouldn’t have doubt.

See you Thursday night!”

I’m not sure if this will be addressed on the TNT set tonight, but it should be quite interesting when Barkley and Smith arrive at the Turner Sports headquarters in Atlanta. Their discussion on this issue which probably won’t be on the air will probably be very animated. Oh to be a fly on the wall when they greet each other tonight.

[USA Today]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.