Charles Barkley Issues 'Do Not Ever Do That Again' Warning After Pistons Compare Austin Reaves To Larry Bird

Charles Barkley strongly objects to Austin Reaves being compared with Larry Bird.© NDTV GALLERY

Charles Barkley has a strong message for the Detroit Pistons broadcast team after a commentator compared Austin Reaves to NBA legend Larry Bird during the Los Angeles Lakers' game against Detroit. Barkley addressed the remark on Inside the NBA, telling the team never to make that comparison again. Reaves had scored 43 points in the Lakers' 121-116 win over the Pistons, with Luka Doncic missing the game because of lower-back tightness. Although Barkley praised Reaves, he was not willing to put the Lakers guard in the same conversation as Bird, a three-time NBA champion and one of the greatest players in league history.

Charles Barkley Tells Pistons Broadcast Not To Compare Austin Reaves With Larry Bird

The comparison came after Reaves made an off-balance shot during the game. The Pistons commentator reacted by asking, "Is that Austin Reaves or is that Larry Bird?" Barkley clearly took issue with the remark and did not hold back when he addressed it on the show.

"I was watching the Detroit Pistons against the Lakers the other night and some idot or fool or jcka— thought it would be appropriate to compare Austin Reaves to Larry Bird. Y'all put together a tape and say, ‘Who does Austin Reaves remind me of?' And y'all put a video clip of Austin Reaves. I love Austin Reaves. Don't compare him to Larry Bird ever. Under no dmn circumstances. Do not ever do that again. I don't know who put that dmn clip together, but don't ever do that again. Do not. And listen, Austin Reaves, you know I love you. Don't put him on the same clip with Larry Bird. Yeah, they're both white. That's it. That's the only thing they have in common. Nothing else."

Barkley's point was not about Reaves' talent. He simply did not want a strong performance to become a reason for comparing him with Bird, who won three straight regular-season MVP awards and two NBA Finals MVPs.

Kenny Smith Brings Luka Doncic Into Austin Reaves Debate

Kenny Smith offered a different opinion during the discussion, suggesting another Lakers star was a better match for Bird.

"I would say Luka is more Larry," Smith said.

Barkley quickly interrupted him, pointing out that Doncic was not playing that night.

"They had Austin Reaves, fool. Luka didn't play."

Smith then acknowledged Reaves' performance, but Barkley remained firm.

"Hey, I know Austin Reaves had a great game, but we do not compare him."

Reaves finished with 43 points, shooting 14-of-27 from the field and making all 11 of his free throws. His performance helped the Lakers beat Detroit, but Barkley wants the guard's achievements to stand on their own rather than be measured against Larry Bird.