Defiant Charles Barkley Joins Instagram

An announcement was made on NBA on TNT on Feb. 29 that former NBA player Charles Barkley is officially on Instagram. Even though for many years he insisted he would never join social media based on what Shaquille O’Neal said on the program.

When Kenny Smith broached the subject on the show, Barkley confessed to the other hosts by saying, “I’m trying out social media.” As the man known as the “Round Mound of Rebound” slyly smiles, his co-hosts immediately start to tease him because he was, until recently, adamantly against being on social media.

“I’ve been here 12 years, and 11.9 of those years, you said ‘I’m never going on social media’ Shaq reminds him.

To which Barkley responds, “It’s for business purposes” before revealing that his handle is CharlesWBarkley on Instagram. Then the hosts warn him about “sliding into DMs (Direct messages)” before giving him an explanation of what that means, in social media speak. And while the men are telling him some of the dangers of responding to DMs, he reveals that he only had the account for a week. Yet, he also revealed that someone else is posting for him while he “learns” how to use his Instagram account.

They also warn him about “liking” other people’s posts because other users can see who and what he likes.

Chuck finds out what “sliding in the DMs” means 😂 pic.twitter.com/UyNKEbxeAj

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 1, 2024

The Sporting News unveiled a video from seven years ago showing Barkley saying that he thinks “social media is just for losers.” He emphasizes that social media gives “losers” a bigger voice when they shouldn’t be heard. Although he admits that you can’t “survive without technology” but refused to join Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

As recently as last month on his CNN show with Gayle King, “King Charles,” Barkley still had an attitude about joining social media. When King asked him why doesn’t he have social media, he said, “I don’t want to bring fools into my life.”

Barkley just signed a deal last year with the Atlanta Hawks to bring his Redmont Vodka brand to State Farm Arena.