CBS commentator Charles Barkley went off on the sports journalist “jacka**es” in the media who had a meltdown over Michigan State coach Tom Izzo yelling at one of his players.
The Basketball Hall of Famer and former NBA star defended Izzo during Friday’s CBS pregame studio program, reacting to the outcry over one of his “favorite coaches” blowing up on Aaron Henry in Thursday’s game against Bradley University.
“One of the reasons Tom Izzo is one of my favorite coaches, he coaches his team,” Barkley said. “And I was so disappointed to hear all these jacka**es on other networks complaining about a coach actually coaching his team.”
Barkley gave a “shout out” to the coach and encouraged him to keep doing what he does so well.
“Coach Izzo, you keep doing your thing. It’s all right for a coach to yell at a player,” he said. “When did we get to the point where every time a coach yells at a player it becomes a national emergency? So shout out to Coach Izzo. Keep doing your thing.”
The coach was slammed after his outburst which many criticized for being excessive.
Tom Izzo lighting up his players ? pic.twitter.com/lKw7ieCYnB
— Get Hyped Sports (@GetHypedSport) March 22, 2019
This was just a bad look for college basketball, and a worse look for Michigan State. This was over the edge. This is the dark side of a Tom Izzo, who’s better than this. More @Undisputed, now on FS1 https://t.co/QJVzj5P81p
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 22, 2019
I agree to the extent that sometimes as a kid when you screw up and it takes a harsh moment and you won’t ever do it again but you don’t put your body and FIST towards a kid. Especially when other teammates have to restrain the coach. Izzo needs to be accountable for himself! pic.twitter.com/CAXhDJWHP9
— Kevin Ruggeberg (@nbafanLBJ) March 23, 2019
Izzo addressed the incident after the game.
Here’s Tom Izzo’s full explanation about Aaron Henry, why he went after him, and his evaluation of the results.
And included is the answer to a question from @TheSpartanMag about going to Henry late. pic.twitter.com/7KigXeMljD
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 21, 2019
“What’s wrong with challenging a kid that makes some mistakes?” Izzo said, according to ESPN. “Aaron Henry — trust me — did some things that you can’t do as a starter on a top-five team at the end of your freshman year. They were effort-related. I did get after him. He did respond. He did make a couple of big buckets. He did make some big free throws but that’s not good enough. It’s one-and-done time. The ‘my-bads’ are out the window.”
Tom Izzo was asked about getting after Aaron Henry.
“I don’t know what kind of business you’re in, but I tell ya what, if I was a head of a newspaper, and you didn’t do your job, you’d be held accountable.” pic.twitter.com/kqcWykUY6X
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 21, 2019
Henry addressed the moment with reporters, defending his coach who “just wants the best for me.”
Here’s Michigan State freshman, Aaron Henry moments ago addressing his encounter with Tom Izzo encounter in yesterday’s game.
“I was raised like that, my parents got on me like that. . . anything he throws at me I can handle.” @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/kexzjmSQW7
— Zach Harig (@FOX17Zach) March 22, 2019
An overwhelming number of people agreed with Barkley’s view of Izzo and his coaching. Former Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg noted the “special relationship” the coach has with his players.
If you have ever been around Tom Izzo and his players you would understand the special relationship he has with them. You would understand that they appreciate him,his passion and him holding them accountable . You would understand that accountability what makes @MSU_Basketball
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) March 22, 2019
Georgia coach Tom Crean pointed out that love is a big part of the Michigan State coach’s style.
There are many different tenets to Tom Izzo’s leadership style. Demanding, challenging, fiery, detailed , persevering and confronting come to mind. None bigger though than LOVE. Love wears many different faces and speaks in many different tones. Love is being a Driver and a giver
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) March 22, 2019
Love pushes you and hugs you. Tom Izzo makes everyone around him accountable and responsible. I’ve been gone 20 years from his staff and there is many a day I wish he’d tell and yell at me again. It always made me better.
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) March 22, 2019
Many former players as well as fans echoed Barkley’s sentiments.
So coaches cant yell at players now? Lol Izz cares about his players more than half these other college coaches. 600+ wins for a reason. #GoGreen
— Gary Harris (@thats_G_) March 22, 2019
U gotta wanna be pushed from a coach to bring out everything you can do??it’ll only help u
— Jaren Jackson Jr. (@jarenjacksonjr) March 22, 2019
I like how so many people have something to say about Izzo coaching. Except all the people and players that’s been in that locker room or in a battle with him. ? give me all that. I go to war with him any day
— Kelvin Torbert (@ktorbert23) March 22, 2019
Stop being soft ??♂️ https://t.co/1Aa9RUyOkU
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) March 22, 2019
Charles Barkley stanning for Izzo
— Clivish Bambino (@Adef187) March 22, 2019
Fully agree with Barkley. Watching people lose it over Izzo was peak pussification. https://t.co/BYrZKWS4WS
— MarkMizzou ???♂️??? (@MMS5833) March 23, 2019
Charles Barkley was spot on when defending Izzo… People are so soft! #smh
— Keith Rouch (@rouchshambow83) March 22, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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