Charles Barkley tells Joel Embiid to kiss his a– over criticism

Charles Barkley has never been one to back down from criticism of a player, and he’s not about to now.

Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have been crushing Joel Embiid on TNT throughout the Philadelphia 76ers’ Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Toronto Raptors for performing poorly while ill. They criticized him after Philly’s Game 4 loss and then again after Game 5 of the series.

Embiid addressed the criticism before Game 7 of the series on Sunday, dismissing Barkley’s opinion.

“Charles, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about sometimes,” Embiid said. “He just be saying whatever he wants to.”

Barkley heard the comments and responded before Game 7. Telling Embiid and other players upset with his criticism to kiss his a– led Shaq to lose it.

Charles Barkley fires back at Joel Embiid for saying he doesn't know what he's talking about " I'm going to criticize guys if they deserve and if they don't like it they can kiss my ass" pic.twitter.com/JeEBVxGSxN

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 12, 2019

Embiid didn’t mean his comments maliciously towards Barkley. He did what’s best for him ahead of a game, which is to dismiss it rather than let it get in his head. But Barkley’s attitude about matters is perfect. He’s fair — calling people out when he feels it’s deserved and praising them otherwise.