National Basketball Association

Barkley rips 76ers for lack of coach

Published Jul. 21, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Charles Barkley, who never minces words, ripped his former team during a TV interview Friday.

While appearing on Comcast SportsNet’s “Philly Sports Talk”, the former Philadelphia star said the 76ers are a “joke” for letting their coaching search stretch into late July.

“I think that’s one of the silliest things that I’ve seen in sports in a long time,” said Barkley, who played his first eight NBA seasons in Philadelphia. “I’m in Philly during the summer as you know, and I’m watching and reading every day — to not have a coach under contract by now, I think that’s a joke. I don’t know what they’re waiting on. You’re playing summer-league games, people need to know who’s in charge.”

Doug Collins resigned April 18 after coaching the 76ers the past three seasons. Philadelphia has made some major changes to its roster this summer, trading explosive point guard Jrue Holiday for former Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel, who was picked sixth overall by New Orleans.

Barkley, who also played for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds during his Hall of Fame career.