Charles Barkley Slams NBA Coaches as 'Cowards' Over Player Power

Basketball legend Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when discussing the state of coaching in today’s NBA. Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Barkley called out modern coaches for lacking the guts to take charge, blaming the massive salaries of players for tipping the power balance on the court.

"The biggest thing you need to be a great player is a solid coaching staff," Barkley emphasized. "Too many players get ruined by bad coaching. Coaches today are cowards. They’re scared to coach because players make so much money. The players run the team, and the coaches have lost control."

Reflecting on his own career, Barkley praised the tough, no-nonsense coaches he played under, like Pat Riley and Billy Cunningham, comparing them to Gregg Popovich. He argued that the fear of being fired by star players has stripped coaches of their authority, ultimately harming the development of talent in the league.

Barkley shared these fiery takes while attending the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe over the weekend. Though he finished tied for 69th—despite some bettors expecting a win—his off-court commentary certainly scored points for boldness.