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Adam Silver addresses concerns over Charles Barkley's disconnect from NBA games he is covering

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones06/12/25brianjones_93
Adam Silver Charles Barkley
Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver (right) and former player Charles Barkley (right) prior to game four of the 2014 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Robert Deutsch

Adam Silver shared his thoughts on Charles Barkley being disconnected from the NBA games he covered during his time on TNT. While appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, the NBA Commissioner was asked if he was concerned about Barkley not being 100 percent focused as a broadcaster.

“I’m down there a fair amount at their studio in Atlanta. He’s watching the games,” Adam Silver said. “They made a decision to take an entertainment route with that studio show. I think ESPN was always about more hardcore basketball. Maybe NBC was somewhere in the middle in the old days. But it’s an entertainment show, and he’s entertaining. Fans seem to love it.

“Sometimes he’s a bit of the crazy uncle, but I think there’s a difference. Putting aside how focused he is on the game, my sense always when Charles is critical, it is a little bit like your uncle at the Thanksgiving table being critical. It’s like there’s no doubt it comes from a place of love. I don’t feel the same way about some of the other commentators. Charles found a lane, and he does it well. It will be interesting to see how that converts, as you know, they’re now bringing that studio show to ESPN and ABC next year.”

Charles Barkley sends message to ESPN during final TNT broadcast

Charles Barkley was part of the NBA pregame, halftime and postgame show Inside the NBA on TNT. With TNT losing its rights to broadcast NBA games, the show will move to ESPN and ABC starting the 2025-26 season.

Earlier this month, Barkley sent a message to ESPN during Inside the NBA’s final broadcast on TNT. “To ESPN, it’s going to be an honor and a privilege to work for you guys,” Barkley said on TNT Sports’ final sendoff. “You guys are the number one sports network in history, and I’m excited for it. You guys got some tremendous talents over there.

“I’m looking forward to working with those guys. But like I said, man, I just want to say thank you to the NBA, every coach I’ve had, every player I play with, for giving me this magnificent life that I’ve had, I am so lucky and blessed. I’m lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. And even though we’ll never say TNT sports again. I want to thank TNT, for giving me a magnificent life.”