Charles Barkley Irks Knicks, Apologizes to Them

The New York Knicks — specifically, Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh — aren’t just worried about surviving a series against Boston; TNT personality Charles Barkley has also been on their minds quite a bit, for which he’s sorry. Newsday reports: “Charles Barkley issued an apology to Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh at halftime of TNT ‘s 76ers-Heat broadcast Thursday nightfor comments he made about D’Antoni’s job security before Game 2 of the Knicks -Celtics series Tuesday. ‘I have a rule; I try to always be honest and fair on TV,’ he said. ‘I screwed up the other night when I said something about Mike D’Antoni that wasn’t cool. I want to apologize to Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh . When you’re on television, you should never talk about someone getting hired or fired. That’s inappropriate. I made that mistake. I want to apologize personally to Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh. I’ve got a great respect for Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni. I want to apologize. That’s all I can do.’ During TNT ‘s pregame show Tuesday, Barkley criticized D’Antoni’s coaching and added, ‘That’s why they are going to have a new coach next year.’ D’Antoni got word of it via text message after the Knicks ‘ loss. Barkley has become notorious for his negative take on the Knicks, but according to multiple sources, this comment, especially with D’Antoni in the midst of a playoff series, infuriated several members of the hierarchy, most notably Walsh. D’Antoni, who has a year left on his contract after this season, has been under fire from the media about some of his coaching decisions and philosophies. There have been no indications that his job is in question.”