WATCH: Charles Barkley issues hot take for those questioning if Zion Williamson should play
Charles Barkley is still trying to figure out why this is even a debate.
The NBA Hall of Famer recently took serious issue with anyone suggesting that Zion Williamson should sit out the rest of the season after suffering a mild knee issue. As Barkley notes, many of the greatest players in NBA history played several years in college.
Following Williamson’s injury this week in the North Carolina game, the Duke star is listed as day to day with a mild knee sprain. The Blue Devils had been ranked No. 1 in the nation before Duke lost to UNC without the services of Williamson.
Here are Barkley’s thoughts on the debate, which were shared online by TNT Sports:
“That’s what we do, we play basketball.”
Charles Barkley weighs in on Zion Williamson's situation at Duke. pic.twitter.com/7foEecc6la
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 22, 2019
More common sense from Chuck. If I were a GM looking to draft a player, I would have serious reservations about picking someone that only cares about the contract.
Then you wouldn’t be picking anyone. How many players are out there playing for free? How many players negotiate contracts that pay them in line with the average person? None. It’s all about the money.
^Agree 100% Zion’s allegiance to his teammates and coach is admirable, but allow the injury time to heel completely. This is a business decision now.
To be fair, some factors have changed since Wilt Chamberlain was playing. When the money involved in leave/stay is 10s of thousands, the money might make it irrational to leave early. When the money involved is millions or 10s of millions, the money makes it irrational not to at least consider it. I don’t think anybody should tell anybody else what to do when a decision involves life-changing money and at least the perception of character-defining options.
On a different note, this was just about the least interesting thing Chuck had to say last night.
The average household income was less than $4,000 when you’re scoffing at 10’s of thousands of dollars. Also, there weren’t rich boosters with thousand dollar handshakes.
There has never been more money at stake, in either absolute or relative terms. And I think there probably were rich boosters with profitable handshakes – just maybe not sportswear reps with big bonuses for playing at the right school.
Easy to say when you have money in your pocket, I don’t know were the kid comes from or how well off his family is. Like Chuck said himself, you just play ball. Well he can just play ball in the NBA.
I hate when players of old compare today to their time. Chuck has already made his millions so he shouldn’t be trying to decide someone else’s future. I would sit the rest of the season and protect my professional future.
Sure you would 30014.. let’s see if you have the same take when it’s your turn to win or lose the N.C. game and a player sits out
I’ve read the posts and am truly perplexed. Charles never said he should play hurt. He just doesn’t think he should sit the rest of the year for fear of injury. To me this compares to players sitting out bowl games for FEAR of injury. We all know that if you don’t play you can’t get hurt. I hope nobody told that to Jeffery Simmons. Played in the bowl game and got injured working out. I don’t watch much basketball anymore but I do like watching that kid play. Enormous talent with what looks like pure joy in the game. I bet he plays when healthy.