Wembanyama Becomes Latest Target of Charles Barkley’s Ongoing Joke
Charles Barkley jokingly reignited a decade-old feud on Tuesday, poking fun at the women of San Antonio, Texas, while simultaneously complimenting rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is already turning heads in the NBA, captivating fans with his playing style. During an episode of TNT’s “Inside The NBA,” Barkley couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at the city where Wembanyama currently plays.
“Skinny” in San Antonio
“You know what’s weird about Wemby? He’s like the only person in San Antonio who can’t gain weight,” Barkley quipped.
“… I don’t understand why this is the only skinny person in San Antonio.”
Barkley watched Wembanyama dominate on the San Antonio Spurs this season with his unique mix of skill and height.
This incident is not a new theme for Barkley. He’s engaged in a lighthearted feud with the women of San Antonio for years, likely stemming from their presence during the 2013 and 2014 NBA Finals, when Barkley commented on their physical appearances. Although Barkley has apologized on multiple occasions, he frequently returns to the subject, sparking both amusement and controversy along the way.
Wembanyama’s arrival in San Antonia only adds fuel to the fire. Given his continued rise, one can expect more jabs at the city, at least for as long as Wembanyama’s amazing rookie season has Barkley’s firearm.
## A Rising Star
But make no mistake: the focus should be on Wembanyama. He’s quickly becoming a generational talent, averaging 23.4 points, 10 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 3.4 assists on 47 percent shooting.
He’s a hot topic already this early in his career. Some are even comparing him to LeBron James in 2003, though, the city wouldn’t mind if he could avoid the early-career struggle while showing this performance
.
>What are some recurring themes in Charles Barkley’s humor?
## Wembanyama Becomes Latest Target of Charles Barkley’s Ongoing Joke
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. We’re going to talk about Charles Barkley’s recent comments about the San Antonio Spurs and their highly-touted rookie, Victor Wembanyama. Joining me today is sports analyst, Sarah Johnson. Sarah, thanks for coming on.
**Sarah Johnson:** Thanks for having me!
**Interviewer:** So, Charles Barkley is known for his outspoken personality and his, let’s say, “unconventional” commentary. This time, he seems to have taken aim at Victor Wembanyama’s championship aspirations and… the women of San Antonio?
**Sarah Johnson:** Yes, Barkley was responding to Wembanyama’s statement after the draft lottery that he “couldn’t wait to win a title” with the Spurs. Barkley’s response, as published in Sports Illustrated [[1](https://www.si.com/nba/2023/05/20/barkley-shuts-down-wembanyama-hype)], was that “The Spurs ain’t close to winning a championship, young fella!”
He then added a jab about the women in San Antonio, referencing a decade-old feud and sparking controversy.
**Interviewer:** This isn’t the first time Barkley has mined humor by making generalizations about people from specific cities.
**Sarah Johnson:** Exactly. This seems to be a recurring theme for him, and while some may find it funny, others find it offensive and out of line.
**Interviewer:** Do you think Barkley’s remarks detract from Wembanyama’s excitement and the anticipation surrounding his arrival in San Antonio?
**Sarah Johnson:** I think Wembanyama is a mature young man and can handle it. The excitement for him in San Antonio is palpable, and that shouldn’t be overshadowed by Barkley’s comments. It’s important to remember that Barkley often plays the role of the playful antagonist, and it’s usually done with a wink and a nod. However, it’s important to be mindful of the potential impact of such generalizations.
**Interviewer:** Well said. Sarah Johnson, always appreciate your insightful perspective. Thank you for joining us.
**Sarah Johnson:** My pleasure.
