So picture this: TNT’s lovable grump and basketball god, Charles Barkley, casually declares during a recent broadcast that he’d rather gargle nails than attend the NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco. He called it a “rat-infested place”—so charming, right? But let’s not kid ourselves; as much as he pretends to loathe the city, he’s contractually obligated to show up faster than a hipster can complain about rent.

This is just classic Chuck being Chuck. If you’ve ever tuned in to Inside the NBA, you know that Cooked Barkley couldn’t care less about political correctness. His approach to commentary is equal parts comedy and chaos: “We gon’ go home early,” he’ll joke if a game becomes a snooze-fest, while throwing shade on viewership numbers—like a true pro. How do you think that would fly in the world of corporate America? Spoiler: it wouldn’t. But Barkley gets a pass because he’s that combination of hilarious and irreverent that keeps fans on their toes.

His recent rants about San Francisco are a cakewalk down Memory Lane, dating back years. But here’s the kicker: Barkley’s comments were taken so seriously by moronic media outlets that they hinted he was pulling a boycott. As if the guy with a whole paycheck on the line would ditch an event plastered with his name just because he likes to poke fun. In the throes of a highlight segment about Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, he said, “If he don’t make the All-Star team, I’m not going. I’m not going to that rat-infested place out in San Francisco.” Classic Chuck.

The media ate it up, declaring his words a legitimate boycott threat. But c’mon, it’s Barkley! The man has the humor of a classroom clown who somehow also played in the NBA. He’s as likely to miss the All-Star Game as the rest of us are likely to find affordable rent in the Bay Area.

And let’s be real: Barkley might hurl insults at the city, but he’ll be right there in February, soaking in the vibes (and undeniably awkward weather), competing with NBA legends alongside his fellow analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker, and Kenny Smith. With the new team format—where they’ll be sassing and strategizing like it’s a game of high-stakes dodgeball—how could he resist?

So, while his comment threads might leave the media scratching their heads, let’s just sit back and enjoy the show. Because this is Charles Barkley we’re talking about—master troll, king of the one-liners, and a man who likely loves the NBA All-Star Game more than he admits. Cue the popcorn!