NBA analyst and former player Charles Barkley is known for his unusual takes on Inside the NBA show. He wastes no time in derailing a player or a head coach if the opportunity arises. This is exactly what happened with Boston Celtics star, Jayson Tatum was named as a starter in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. Barkley hopped on the topic to share his views, but with a bit of sarcasm.
Last year, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr decided to barely play Jayson Tatum throughout the Paris Summer Olympics. By doing this, he exposed Tatum to a season’s worth of mockery. Charles Barkley took this particular topic to mock Tatum on Inside the NBA show after his NBA All-Star achievement.
Great player, just not good enough to play in the Olympics…One of the five best in the East, but not good enough to represent his country.
Charles Barkley said on Inside the NBA
Charles Barkley on Jayson Tatum:
“Great player, just not good enough to play in the Olympics…One of the five best in the East, but not good enough to represent his country.” 😂😂
(h/t @ClutchPoints)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 24, 2025
Given his prominence as an NBA player, Jayson Tatum’s participation at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was unexpected. Two of Team USA’s six games did not feature the Celtics forward. Tatum only played 17.7 minutes on average in the four games he did play, but he did contribute 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Many questioned why Tatum, one of the NBA’s biggest players, was reduced to a supporting role. Given those figures, which stood in sharp contrast to his regular-season output. All said and done, Tatum stated before the start of the 204-25 NBA season that he remained ‘unfazed’ by the Olympics situation. Also, he is focused on delivering major success with his Celtics side this season.
Jayson Tatum sheds light on being named NBA All-Star starter
Not surprisingly, Jayson Tatum, a star for the Boston Celtics, will go for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game the following month. For the sixth year in a row, the Celtics star was selected as an All-Star starter on Thursday. In his remarkable eight-year career, this is his sixth All-Star selection. Tatum also opened up on this achievement.
It means a lot you know, that the fans appreciate the way you play um and they show that throughout the voting so being voted as an All-Stars is something you don’t take for granted!
Jayson Tatum via Celtics on NBC Sports Boston
Jayson Tatum has been named an All-Star starter for the 5th consecutive season and is now a 6x All-Star ⭐🍀 pic.twitter.com/NMbtOdABf1
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 24, 2025
Tatum is currently having one of his most successful statistical seasons. Over 41 games, the 26-year-old is shooting 45.7 percent from the field (35.5 percent from 3-point range). Also, he is averaging 27.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
The numbers for assists and rebounds are at all-time career highs. Therefore, it will be intriguing to watch whether or not Tatum clinches the NBA MVP award.. He faces tough competition from the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Nikola Jokic, among others. If not, he will definitely aim to repeat as the NBA champion this season.
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