Charles Barkley Criticizes San Francisco as ‘Rat Infested’, Says He’s Skipping NBA All-Star Game
Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley tried again in town San Francisco because he made it clear that he has no intention of going to the NBA All-Star Game.
Barkley spoke on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” about Detroit Pistons young star Cade Cunningham’s All-Star bid. With the Golden State Warriors hosting the game at Oracle Arena in San Francisco, Barkley said Cunningham will be there, but he won’t be.
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January 21, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona: Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley in attendance at the Footprint Center. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
“He’s going to make the All-Star team,” Barkley said. “I’m not going. I’m not going to that rat-infested place in San Francisco.”
Barkley responded to one of his colleagues who called San Francisco “beautiful.”
“San Francisco is not a nice city. Rats. Cats. You won’t make me like San Francisco. No. No, no, no”
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It’s not the first time Barkley has had one criticized the city. Last year, he tore up San Francisco during the NBA alternate broadcast of the All-Star Game, which took place in Indianapolis.
Basketball analyst Charles Barkley on the air before the championship game of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Final Four. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Barkley asked Miller what he would choose: playing in the cold in Indianapolis — where Miller spent his entire 18-year NBA career — or “being with a bunch of homeless thieves in San Francisco.”
Warriors star Draymond Green called Barkley “crazy” and said Barkley was “not welcome” in the city. WNBA star Candace Parker said “we love San Francisco,” but Barkley shot back.
“No, we don’t,” he said. “… You can’t even walk down there.”
Green was firm with his refusal.
“Yes, you can walk around,” he said.
Barkley clapped back saying, “Yeah, with a bulletproof vest.”
November 15, 2024; San Francisco, California: Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) discusses a call with referee Brian Forte (45) during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center. (D. Ross Cameron-Imagn image)
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The new mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie vowed that he would Make San Francisco’s streets safe again, build “enough housing to reverse our affordability crisis” and tackle “our drug and behavioral health crisis.”
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