Shocking NBA Hall of Famer comes to the defense of Bill Belichick
Of all people, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has recently come to the defense of New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick. It looks like Belichick still has some defenders out there. Reports have swirled this offseason about the Patriots' head coach being on the hot seat. Honestly, there is a lot of reason to believe that he is on the hot seat.
Since Tom Brady left after the 2019 NFL season, the Patriots have gone 7-9, 10-7, and 8-9 in the following seasons with one playoff appearance and no playoff victories. Some of Belichick's roster and coaching decisions have also been a bit puzzling as well, so I am one who definitely thinks that not only is he on the hot seat this year, but that 2023 could very well be his last year.
On The Bill Simmons Podcast, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley came to the defense of Bill Belichick and essentially shoved away those detractors of the future Hall of Fame head coach:
"“You guys gotta stop treating my guy Belichick bad,”
- Charles Barkley
“I love Belichick. I consider him a good friend,” Barkley continued. “I’m so disgusted with some of these punk *** guys on television talking about Bill being on the hot seat and things like that.”
“It shouldn’t even be close to the hot seat,” Barkley added."
I mean, wow. Barkley has made his opinion very well-known here. This tirade from Barkley is a bit misguided, though. People who have connections with the organization have indicated that this is a very crucial year for Belichick. Patriots' insider Tom Curran has indicated as much, and I am not sure if Charles Barkley even has a single NFL "source" to base his claim on.
However, I do see why Barkley would think this way. Belichick's decades-long success with the New England Patriots could make some assume that he's essentially earned himself as much leash as he wants. Belichick is also the GM of the team, so if someone thinks that Belichick isn't on the hot seat, I wouldn't blame them for that opinion.
What do you think? Do you think that Bill Belichick is on the hot seat entering the 2023 NFL season?