Just a week after Gayle King was the subject of humiliation for pressing Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant’s 2003 sexual assault case, Charles Barkley has now come under fire. While interviewing with some of his peers on Today, the basketball legend said that the situation has to be addressed.
Charles Barkley has retired from the sport and has served as a host for Inside the NBA among other things.
Charles, Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson took to the show to remember their friend Kobe who tragically passed away in a helicopter accident last month with 8 other people including his daughter Gianna.
The Today Show journalist asked if it was appropriate to bring up the allegation from a woman who claimed that she was raped by the NBA baller in a Colorado resort. Kobe apologized and the dispute was settled out of court because the accuser refused to testify.
Charles answered: ‘You have to tell the picture in totality. We’re not making Kobe out to be no hero. We’re celebrating his basketball excellence. We understand what happened in Colorado. That’s fair, but two things can be true. Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players ever. And he had a flaw that we all know about.’
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TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh ___ It has been a tough time for #KobeBryant fans these past few weeks. After his passing, there have been thousands of tributes in many different forms for the legendary ball player but fans are also having a hard time grieving due to his past sexual assault case being brought up. ___ As fans prepare to pay their respects to Kobe, his daughter Gigi and the others who perished in that tragic helicopter crash, it seems they were once again upset with Kobe’s past being brought up, this time during an interview on the @todayshow. ___ When asked, as sportscasters, if it was appropriate to bring up the allegations, #CharlesBarkley responded by saying, “Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players ever and he had a flaw that we all know about. You have to tell the picture in totality. We’re not trying to make Kobe out to be no hero, we’re celebrating his basketball excellence.” ___ While some people felt Charles was just telling it from all sides, many felt that his words on the matter were not necessary and-click the link in our bio to read more. (📹: @todayshow)
Although his comments are not getting nearly enough attention as Gayle’s did, there is a significant amount of people who called the athlete out.
One follower of the Shade Room commented on the video clip: ‘A flaw!? It was THROWN OUT OF COURT!!! You can say nothing about A NONE CONVICTED MAN! 🤷♂️ where y’all do that at?’
Another added: ‘Crazy how people’s true colors show after someone dies..’
This person questioned: ‘Where was all this energy when he was alive and able to defend himself?’
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What do you think about Charles’ response?
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