It didn't matter that "Inside The NBA" was showing highlights from the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. Charles Barkley went in on Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick anyway.

Charles Barkley was not a fan of JJ Redick's comments on the NBA ratings discourse — comments that took aim at the league's television partners, which includes Sir Charles' employers, TNT. During Thursday's edition of "Inside the NBA," Barkley unloaded on Redick as host Ernie Johnson tried to steer the conversation back to highlights.

Charles Barkley called JJ Redick a "dead man walking" and that the rookie coach is putting lipstick on a pig that is the middling sixth-seed Lakers on Inside the NBA.

NBA Hall of Famer and analyst Charles Barkley criticized Lakers coach JJ Redick for his remarks about the reasons behind the NBA's declining viewership. A few weeks ago, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick sparked debate by blaming social media analysts and television coverage for their role in the NBA’s declining viewership in recent years.

The discussion on the NBA's ratings and the evolution of the sport has tapered after strong performances on Christmas Day, but a war of words between two former players is reginiting the conversation.

Charles Barkley has never been one to pull his punches. The Hall of Famer and all-time great commentator hasn’t been shy about voicing his displeasure with the current NBA product. Recently, some other members of the media and Lakers Coach JJ Redick have called him out for his negativity,