Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal draw backlash for pushing back on Breonna Taylor outrage
Many prominent figures in the sports world, including Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, have voiced their outrage against the decision to not charge Louisville police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
The “Inside the NBA” crew on TNT offered a different reaction on Thursday, led by Charles Barkley.
Charles Barkley on Breonna Taylor: Not the same as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery
Before Thursday’s game between the Lakers and Denver Nuggets, Barkley said that Taylor’s case shouldn’t be “lumped” in with the killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. He pointed to Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, firing on the plainclothes Louisville police officers that were executing a no-knock search warrant as a reason why.
Charles Barkley says you can't put the Breonna Taylor case in the same situation as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery because her boyfriend shot at the police pic.twitter.com/8dMjVMZp39
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 25, 2020
From The Hollywood Reporter:
"I don't think this one was like George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery and things like that," Barkley began. "I feel sad that this young lady lost her life. I think this one was — the no-knock warrant is something we need to get rid of ... across the board. But I am worried to lump all these situations in together."
He continued, "And I just feel bad that the young lady lost her life. But we do have to take into account that her boyfriend shot at the cops and shot a cop. So like I say, even though I am really sorry she lost her life, I just don't think we can put this in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery."
Barkley found some agreement from his co-hosts, including Shaquille O’Neal:
"I have to agree with Charles, this one is sort of lumped in," O'Neal said. "You have to get a warrant signed and some states do allow no-knock warrants. And everyone was asking for murder charges. When you talk about murder, you have to show intent. A homicide occurred and we're sorry a homicide occurred. When you have a warrant signed by the judge, you are doing your job, and I would imagine that you would fire back."
It’s worth noting that O’Neal has long expressed an affinity for the police, once even being deputized in a county in Georgia.
Barkley also dismissed the “Defund the Police” movement that has emerged in the wake of the killings of Floyd and Taylor.
Charles Barkley on defunding the police "Who are black people supposed to call Ghost Busters when we have crime in our neighborhood? We need to stop the defund or abolish the police crap" pic.twitter.com/uEIsnX729g
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 25, 2020
Predictably, such comments were met with a vocal reaction on Twitter.
Ugh, Charles Barkley.
— Lysol In E Flat (@GeeDee215) September 25, 2020
i know Charles Barkley did NOT just say on national television — “i’m sad Breonna Taylor lost her life, but we can’t forget her boyfriend did fire at a cop first.”
please tell me i heard that wrong incorrectly ...— Ashley Nicole. (@AshNicoleMoss) September 25, 2020
Charles Barkley said we can’t put Breonna Taylor’s case in same breath as George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery because we have to account for Breonna’s boyfriend shooting at the officer. pic.twitter.com/H4osAVKlKD
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) September 25, 2020
I didn’t know I could be this disgusted by Charles Barkley.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) September 25, 2020
As they should. Barkley is wrong https://t.co/7UzWC4iYD0
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) September 25, 2020
I dnt know why Charles barkley still surprises yall lolpic.twitter.com/L7AIkso4Gx
— tayö (@tayoshi2) September 25, 2020
What is Charles Barkley talking about???????????????
"This [Brianna Taylor's death] isn't like Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd."
You're right. It's not, because she was at home, asleep in her bed.
TF???— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) September 25, 2020
I just....like...why read Bron's very heartfelt tweet about Breonna Taylor, only to follow it up w/ Charles Barkley basically saying, "It's sad, but her boyfriend fired first so....*kanye shrug*"
Please stop talking about things if you don't have the range. It's okay to be quiet— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) September 25, 2020
More from Yahoo Sports: