Tyrese Maxey and Austin Reaves are lighting up the NBA.
But Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is focused on something completely different during the start of the 2025-26 season.
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Charles Barkley unloaded on the current generation of NBA playersCredit: getty
One of the toughest players in league history lit into the current generation of players, and Barkley’s sharp comments quickly went viral.
“In my day, when a coach criticized you, it was called good coaching,” Barkley said on Wednesday on ESPN.
“When people criticize players today, it’s called hating. And that’s why these bums be driving me crazy. … It ain’t criticism. It’s coaching.”
Fans were split on Sir Charles’ pointed attack.
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“Soft generation. He is right,” one fan posted.
“They also used to have rules and weren’t overpaid,” a second fan wrote.
“When you start ‘in my day’ you lost everyone you meant this message for,” a third fan tweeted. “But I do agree with Chuck.”
“Much has changed, but not just basketball,” another fan said.
It’s unclear if Barkley was referring to a specific situation or an overall league problem.
But the 11-time All-NBA selection clearly has issues with the ‘bums’ in the NBA today.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is driving an offensive explosionCredit: Getty
“That’s the culture nowadays in and out of sports,” a fan wrote. “Nobody thinks they’re wrong or can be corrected.”
While the Round Mound of Rebound complains about the current generation, fans are connecting with the initial slate of a new season.
Almost 37 million people in the United States watched NBA Tip-Off 2025 across NBC/Peacock, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video, which was the most viewers for an opening week in 15 years.
There’s also been an offensive explosion at the start of a new campaign.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lauri Markkanen, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Victor Wembanyama, Jamal Murray and Reaves are all averaging more than 30 points a game.
Maxey, who’s ranked among the top 20 basketball players in the world right now, tops all scorers with 37.5 points per night.
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