Charles Barkley pokes fun at Kendrick Perkins controversy: 'You're only voting for him because he's Black'

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Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins found himself in hot water this week after suggesting there is a racial bias in the NBA’s MVP voting process when discussing Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. 

On Thursday, NBA Hall of Famer and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley had some fun with the controversy on "Inside the NBA."

From left, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley appear during the NBA All-Star Game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Feb. 19, 2023. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

When discussing their picks to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, fellow analyst Shaquille O’Neal chose the Milwaukee Bucks, saying Giannis Antetokounmpo was his pick for MVP — which is when Barkley chimed in.

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"You’re only voting for him because he’s Black," Barkley said, as the other members of the panel cracked up.

Last week, Perkins pointed to three players since 1990 who have won the MVP despite being outside the top 10 in points per game: Jokic (in his first MVP campaign in 2020-21), Dirk Nowitzki (2006-07) and Steve Nash (2004-05, 2005-06). All three are White.

"What do those guys have in common? I’ll let it sit there and marinate. You think about it," Perkins said last week to "First Take" co-host Stephen A. Smith.

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That comment led to an argument between "First Take" co-host JJ Redick and Perkins, with Redick saying Perkins was implying White NBA