CLEVELAND — Any time there's a huge story in the NBA, we expect the "Round Mound of Rebound" to chime in.
So it came as a surprise to know one that Charles Barkley would have an opinion on John Beilein's resignation as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was even less surprising that Barkley brought his usual fire.
"I thought what they did to Coach Beilein was ridiculous, unprofessional," Barkley said Thursday on TNT's "Inside the NBA." "I think the veterans on that team were not leaders. I think the young guys who can't play think they're better than they are and they tried to get that man fired."
Beilein stepped down this week only 54 games into his first season on the job, posting an Eastern Conference-worst 14-40 record. The accomplished college coach was reportedly "miserable," and often clashed with his team.
Barkley, who defended Beilein after the 67-year-old referred to his players as "thugs" during a January film session (the coach claimed he meant to say "slugs"), ripped the perceived toxic culture in the Cleveland locker room, and accused the team of conspiring to get Beilein fired.
"John Beilein is a hell of a coach and I think he's a good guy," he continued. "But for those players to complain about, 'We're practicing too hard. We're watching too much film' -- because they stink. Because they stink I just didn't think that was fair."
Reaction has been pouring in on social media, and while some think Beilein just wasn't cut out for the NBA, most (including Cavs fans) seem to be with Barkley.