
Charles Barkley did not hold back his criticism of San Francisco during TNT’s Inside the NBA, where he referred to the city as “rat-infested.” His remarks come as the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, hosted by the Golden State Warriors, is set to take place at Chase Center on February 16, 2025.
The outspoken analyst voiced his disdain for the city while discussing Cade Cunningham’s likely All-Star selection. Barkley stated, “I’m not going to that rat-infested place out in San Francisco.” Ernie Johnson quickly urged him to focus on highlights, but Barkley doubled down, rejecting Kenny Smith’s description of the city as “beautiful.”
The All-Star Game will feature a four-team tournament format, with Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Smith drafting teams from a pool of 24 All-Stars. The event will be televised nationally by TNT, marking its 23rd and final year as the broadcaster before NBC takes over next season.
San Francisco has drawn criticism for its struggles with homelessness, crime, and drug addiction, which many attribute to leftist policies. The city’s harm reduction approach to drug addiction, rather than focusing on recovery, has led to record-breaking overdose deaths, with 621 reported last year.
Proposition 47, which reduced certain nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, has been linked to increased repeat offenses and higher crime rates. Critics argue that lenient policies have created a pervasive sense of lawlessness, leaving residents disillusioned.
Despite investing over $1.1 billion in homelessness programs in 2021—a 500% increase since 2016—the homeless population has risen by 64%. This financial mismanagement has fueled comparisons to failed Marxist economic strategies.
Citizen journalists have highlighted the city’s public safety crisis by posting graphic images of the dire conditions on San Francisco’s streets. Barkley’s remarks echo sentiments shared by many critics who believe San Francisco’s leadership has failed to address these systemic issues.