Charles Barkley Says It Would Be A “Catastrophic Mistake” To Cancel The NBA Season

Since the coronavirus outbreak spread to the US in mid-March, the NBA season has been on an indefinite hiatus due to several players testing positive for the virus.

Now, with the uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus and the lack of a vaccine, the league has been left with the decision to cancel altogether or figure out the best safe way to continue to play.

On ESPN’s “Get Up,” former NBA player and current sports analyst Charles Barkley opened up about why he believes it would be “stupid” to cancel the season.

“I think it will be stupid to not play for two reasons,” Barkley stated. “Number 1, if they don’t play, they’re gonna be ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ for the rest of the year.”

Barkley used basketball legend, LeBron James, as an example, explaining that if the season doesn’t continue, “he won’t be visible anywhere. So, it’s out of sight out of mind.”

He also cited large contributions to the players’ communities as a cause for concern, expressing that if the league cancels the season, there won’t be any more donations made.

“They’re gonna lose billions of dollars that the players could use to go into their own communities and do some great stuff. So, it’s not good on any part,” Barkley continued.

Recently, players like Kyrie Irving, Dwight Howard, and former basketball player Stephen Jackson have come forth similarly, stating that should the season continue, it could take away from the importance of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and protests in response to the murder of George Floyd.

However, responding to such comments, Barkley still thinks the season should go on.

“I have no idea what Kyrie and Dwight are talking about. But it’ll be a catastrophic mistake not to play,” Barkley added.