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TNT's Charles Barkley Sides With LeBron James In Defending Caitlin Clark

Shandel Richardson

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half of an WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half of an WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. / Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY

TNT analyst Charles Barkley rarely sides with NBA superstar LeBron James.

But WNBA star Caitlin Clark has brought them together.

A day after James showed his support for Clark, Barkley sided with him when speaking on the issue during Wednesday's broadcast. Barkley said her peers and women in general should show their support for Clark because she's brought more attention to the game.

"You women out there, y'all petty, man," Barkley said. "Hey LeBron, you're 100 percent right on these girls hating on Caitlin Clark. Y'all petty. I expect men to be petty because we're the most insecure grouop in the world. Y'all should be thanking that girl for getting y'all private charters, all the money and visibility she brings into the WNBA.

James thinks Clark's impact is good for women's basketball. The ratings are up in the WNBA, so are jersey sales. Teams now even travel on charter plans, ditching the commercial flights.

"The one thing I love that she's bringing to her sport: More people want to watch," James said on his podcast with JJ Redick. "More people want to tune in. ... Don't get it twisted, don't get it f**ked up. Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is gonna happen for the WNBA. ... I'm rooting for Caitlin because I've been in that seat before. I've walked that road before. I hope she kills."

While James was more eloquent, Barkley went straight to the point.

"What she's accomplished, give her her flowers," Barkley said. "Stop being petty. All y'all women out there, she got y'all ass charters. She brings all y'all this money to the table but y'all being petty like dudes. LeBron, you're 100 percent right. Yo girls, stop being petty. Caitlin Clark, thank you for bringing all that money and shine to the WNBA."

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Shandel Richardson

SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star.  TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com