Kendrick Perkins fires back at 'senior citizen' Charles Barkley after ESPN call-out

Charles Barkley is one of the few sports personalities who will say whatever is on his mind, regardless of the consequences. His authenticity is part of why he’s one of the most beloved figures in sports broadcasting. And Barkley certainly ruffled a few feathers with his ESPN call-out on Thursday evening. Kendrick Perkins did not hesitate to fire back on Twitter.

Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I’ll be around. When he see an idiot or fool in person make sure he keep that same energy. He can come playing with me if he want to and imma Address his ass like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409…

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) March 7, 2025

“Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I’ll be around. When he see an idiot or fool in person make sure he keep that same energy. He can come playing with me if he want to and imma Address his ass like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409 homeboy and we bar none and fade at all. #TexasBoy,” Perkins chirped back on Thursday evening.

More on the Charles Barkley-Kendrick Perkins feud

Earlier this week on NBA Today, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said the Los Angeles Lakers “saved the NBA” with the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade. That quote made its way to Charles Barkley, who called out Perkins and ESPN for their coverage of the league.

Barkley rattled off a fiery rant during Thursday’s Inside the NBA – which will be sublicensed by ESPN next year as part of a settlement with TNT Sports. He called out “fools on the other network” and specifically called out Perkins for his thoughts on the Lakers.

Barkley’s point was more about other great teams, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder, not getting the credit he thinks they deserve on ESPN airwaves. He said the network cycles through the same topics while talking about the NBA.

“I saw a fool, idiot, on TV talking about the Lakers saved the NBA,” Barkley said. “He’s an idiot and a fool, but you know who he is. … Kendrick Perkins. First of all, the Lakers are having a great two weeks. He said, the Lakers saved the NBA season. That’s because them fools on the other network, which we’re gonna be working for next year, that’s all they talk about. Let me tell y’all something – and first of all, I want all the smoke. I don’t whistle when I walk by the graveyard or anything like that. … The Lakers are doing great. Got a long way to go. The season’s been going great for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Y’all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers.

“They’re both doing great. Don’t get me wrong. If I turn out to be wrong, I’ve got no problem with that. But y’all are idiots because y’all talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time. The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 12 straight games. Oklahoma City’s got the MVP and they are on fire. Y’all are talking about who’s in second place. That’s the reason I get pissed.”

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.