Former NBA stars and current analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal came to the defense of Los Angeles Clipper Matt Barnes after he used the n-word in a tweet.
Barnes was ejected from last Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City for pushing an opposing player. Following the ejection, the forward took to his Twitter account to express his frustration.
His tweet read: “I love my teammates like family, but I’m DONE standing up for these ni**as! All this sh*t does is cost me money. …”
Barkley and O’Neal joined TNT’s Inside The NBA to voice their opinions on the incident.
Barkley acknowledged that the racial epithet should not have been published to social media but said he feels it is okay to use between friends.
This is the latest incident in the controversial debate over the use of the n-word and locker room culture at the professional level.
“White America don’t get to dictate how me and Shaq talk to each other,” Barkley added.
Watch the full Inside The NBA clip here: Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal defend Matt Barnes’ use of n-word
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.