“It should’ve been 70 games…” Charles Barkley shows no sympathy for superstars crying over NBA 65-game rule

The NBA 65-game rule has come under criticism from players, Charles Barkley thinks they should do their job which is to play a full season

“It should’ve been 70 games…” Charles Barkley shows no sympathy for superstars crying over NBA 65-game rule

Charles Barkley did not hold back when attacking superstars criticizing the NBA 65-game rule (image via Twitter)

The NBA 65-game rule has come under a lot of criticism from players. This has led to several analysts talking back to those superstars. They showed facts proving that players are expected to play the full season. The NBA has been lenient in allowing a 65-game threshold. That gives current-generation players a 17-game leeway. One of the NBA’s most outspoken analysts had to give his two cents. Enter Charles Barkley.

While speaking about the topic on the show Inside the NBA on TNT, host Ernie Johnson asked the panel about their take on the rule and its criticism from players. Barkley said this:

These players got nobody to blame but themselves.....It's a fair rule. I thought it should've been 70.
Charles Barkley said

Barkley added that the players only have themselves to blame for forcing the league to implement this rule. These players saved themselves from injury by resting. This rule could have been avoided had they not done that. The players did not make it fair for the fans who saved up and paid to watch one game in a season, only for their favorite players not to play.

Charles Barkley mentioned that many players in the past have played multiple full seasons. That is expected of any athlete entering the league. Missing games due to actual injuries is fair. But to rest in order to avoid getting injured is something else.

Charles Barkley added that the NBA should have upped the restrictions to 70 games. He believes players today are only looking out for themselves. They do not care about the fans or the league. They bother about awards and contracts.

What superstars are saying about the NBA 65-game rule?

The criticism of the NBA 65-game rule started when superstar Joel Embiid aggravated his left knee injury by forcibly playing in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Fellow superstar Draymond Green added to the criticism while speaking on his podcast.

Tyrese Haliburton, Draymond Green and Joel Embiid have been critical about the NBA 65-game rule
Tyrese Haliburton, Draymond Green, and Joel Embiid have been critical about the NBA 65-game rule (image via Twitter)

Rising superstar Tyrese Haliburton then called out the rule after coming close to losing the eligibility for a Supermax deal this coming off-season. So it seems, Barkley’s analysis is correct. As is from the other analysts. These players are only thinking about themselves. Not for the league and its fans.

The rule was brought in to make sure basketball fans get their money’s worth. Charles Barkley just reminded the players what they should be playing for.

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