Charles Barkley hammers idea that Paul George is most scrutinized NBA player (Video)

Charles Barkley has had enough of people saying Paul George is treated unfairly.

NBA Hall-of-Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley knows a thing or two about being scrutinized by the media and basketball fans. On Tuesday night, he went on an extended rant to put to bed the notion that LA Clippers star Paul George gets treated unfairly.

“Every great player is criticized,” Barkley said. “Michael Jordan, Shaq, Kobe… everybody’s gotten criticized. This is a false narrative. Jacka**es on television saying somebody gets scrutinized more than other people. Give me a freaking break. Every great player who’s played, until he wins a championship, gets criticized.”

Charles Barkley on Paul George being treated unfairly: “Give me a break”

Barkley went on to list names of NBA legends who never won a title, such as Karl Malone, John Stockton and Patrick Ewing. All were criticized by pundits who discredited their individual greatness by bringing up the fact that they never won a ring.

Spoiler alert: Only one team wins each year, and there are many outstanding individual players who never won it all.

“Paul George is a terrific player,” Barkley added. “But [scrutiny] goes with being a terrific player. These other guys talking about he gets treated unfairly. Give me a freakin’ break.”

If Paul George were some bench player, his playoff performances probably wouldn’t receive so much attention. Luckily, he may have finally shed the “Pandemic P” nickname with his career night to help the Clippers stay alive in Game 5. But don’t expect the criticism to disappear overnight, even if the Clippers reach the Finals. It’s all part and parcel with being a top-caliber NBA player.

As American tennis legend Billie Jean King once said, “Pressure is a privilege. It only comes to those who earn it.”