Charles Barkley admitted at halftime during Friday’s NCAA tournament game between Illinois and Xavier that he was not watching and therefore had no analysis to offer.
The admission from the former NBA great came after he was asked with Illinois leading 40-35 at the half what his biggest takeaway was during CBS’ coverage of March Madness.
Barkley paused briefly before explaining his attention was divided, and he had nothing to share about the game he was monitoring with his cohosts Ernie Johnson, Clark Kellogg, and Kenny Smith – who all teamed up to roast him.
Johnson kicked off CBS‘ coverage of the first half of the game by deferring to Barkley.
“Charles Barkley, the biggest takeaway from the first half?” Johnson asked.
Barkley replied, “Well– I think. Umm. That’s a good question.”
The NBA Hall of Famer was roasted by Johnson, Kellogg, and Smith – none of who could contain their laughter.
“That’s his job,” Smith said. “Were you expecting, for him not to ask you anything?”
“It kinda came out of left field for you,” Johnson joked of asking Barkley for his take on a game in which he had been paid to watch as an analyst.
Barkley explained his attention was divided as he had personally been tracking the matchup between Bryant and Michigan State.
“I was looking – you know the game I’m watching. I’m watching Bryant against MSU,” Barkley admitted.
“You can’t watch more than one game at a time?” Kellog asked. “You watch all these TV shows at one time.”
Barkley fired back, “That’s at night, man. They’re not all at the same time, man!”
He then surrendered he had no thoughts on the Illinois game and asked Johnson to defer to someone else.
“Uhh, you know, Ernie, I’m not gonna lie, I was paying attention to the Bryant score,” Barkley said. “So, get after Clark or Kenneth please.”
Watch above via CBS.
The post ‘I’m Not Gonna Lie…’ Charles Barkley Brutally Roasted After Admitting He Wasn’t Watching the Game He Was Analyzing first appeared on Mediaite.
