Hall of Famer Charles Barkley unleashed a fiery rant criticizing modern NBA players for being a little soft when it comes to hearing feedback from their coaches.

Barkley contrasted his era, where criticism was seen as “good coaching,” with today’s players, whom he bluntly called “bums” for whining that the coaching staff is hating on them.

“In my day, when a coach criticized you, it was called good coaching,” Barkley said during an ESPN broadcast on Wednesday.

“When people criticize players today, it’s called hating. And that’s why these bums be driving me crazy,” he added. “It ain’t criticism. It’s coaching.”

"In my day, when a coach criticized you it was called good coaching. When people criticize players today it's called hating."

Charles Barkley gives his perspective on how the game has changed 👀 pic.twitter.com/RtNwAHsif6

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 29, 2025

Dream Teamers Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan are sounding off on new generation of players

It sure sounds like the past generation of players is getting a little tired of watching the new generation launch three-pointers, play matador defense, and constantly flop.

Charles Barkley’s comments come amidst similar criticism from another great, Michael Jordan.

Jordan recently shredded players and teams who practice “load management” to avoid overwork, saying that it “shouldn’t be needed” as players have a duty to perform for fans who pay to see them.

“You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play,” said Jordan. “I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket.”

Not today’s players. The face of the league, LeBron James, has averaged fewer than 60 games per season over the last five seasons. An NBA season consists of 82 games. Meaning the self-proclaimed “King” has taken part in roughly 72 percent of the Lakers’ games since 2020.

Imagine being able to show up for work just 72 percent of the time. Good gig, if you can get it.

Michael Jordan shares his thoughts on load management on the second installment of MJ: Insights to Excellence.

“I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove…the fans are there to watch me play." pic.twitter.com/h7g6krplDQ

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 29, 2025

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Younger generation fires back

It isn’t just the older generation firing off on the younger generation in this spat. Last year, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards argued that older generations of basketball players didn’t have the same level of skill as the young bucks.

“I didn’t watch it back in the day, so I can’t speak on it. They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then,” Edwards said.

“[Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So that’s why when they saw Kobe, they were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everybody has skill.”

Another Dream Teamer, Magic Johnson, had an epic response to Edwards’ criticism.

“I never respond to a guy who’s never won a championship,” Magic fired back. “[Edwards] didn’t win a college championship, I don’t even know if he won a high school championship.”

My money’s on the guys who played every game and dished out hard fouls as much as they took them. What about you?