You're probably not going to see this on the NBA on TNT Twitter feed.
Charles Barkley is a pillar on NBA on TNT. One could argue without Chuck at the desk, the network's coverage might not be as popular as it it today.
And he's paid handsomely for his contributions.
As such, that makes him, to a degree, a spokesman for TNT. So it's interesting to see Sir Charles tell NBA fans -- America at large -- not to watch basketball in the first round of the playoffs.
Specifically, Barkley took issue with the Eastern Conference side of the bracket.
"America, don't be foolish, they want you to watch these games," Barkley said on Inside the NBA. "Philly, Boston, Milwaukee are head and shoulders above the rest of these bums in the Eastern Conference."
As the one, two, and three seeds there's no arguing the 76ers, Celtics, and Bucks are the favorites in the East. But it's a step beyond to say that the Eastern Conference is borderline unwatchable unless those teams are playing each other.
Barkley did try to walk it back when Shaquille O'Neal called him out.
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"I did not say don't watch..." he said. "...I said Kenny can anybody beat the Celtics, the Bucks, or the Sixers?"
Barkley honesty is famously beloved by NBA fans, but he might have a conversation with producers after that segment.
NBA Eastern Conference matchups
Here's a look at the Eastern Conference Playoffs Barkley so despises.
Eastern Conference
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Hawks
(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks
While less than inspiring on paper, the NBA Playoffs tend to have some surprises built in. We'll see if the Barkley reverse jinx works, or if we're doomed to a chalk playoff bracket in the Eastern Conference.
