NBA legend Charles Barkley didn’t mince his words when he recently slammed ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins for alleging that most White voters have a racial bias towards two-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
On Denver’s Altitude Sports Radio, Barkley described Perkins’ comments as “asinine, silly, and stupid.”
Perkins had earlier stated that Jokić won the award due to the dominance of White voters in the MVP voting process. He said 80% of voters were White Americans, while 20% were others.
Who will win the NBA MVP this year?
Jokić is currently one of the favorites to win the NBA MVP title again, having led the Denver Nuggets to the best record in the Western Conference. According to Barkley, Jokić, Giannis, and Embiid are battling for the MVP title this year. Barkley rubbished Perkins’ allegations of racial bias in the MVP voting process, describing the idea as unfounded.
Why Perkins made such allegations getting him ripped by Charles Barkley?
Barkley suggested Perkins was seeking ratings by making such comments, calling the behavior “ESPN disease.” He explained that some analysts feel compelled to make provocative comments to generate clicks and attract more viewers. Charles Barkley stated that he had never made comments solely for the purpose of getting clicks or ratings.
Barkley’s criticism of Perkins has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans and analysts weighing in on the matter. Some have supported Perkins’ position, citing past examples of racial bias in MVP voting, while others have backed Barkley’s argument that the allegations lack merit.
Despite the ongoing debate, Jokić has remained focused on his game, leading the Nuggets to impressive victories over top teams in the league. He has consistently displayed his talent and leadership qualities, making him a strong contender for the MVP title. As the NBA regular season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Jokić and his competitors to see who emerges as this year’s MVP.
