Charles Barkley apologized to Draymond Green after speaking with an eclectic group of mentors

TNT

• Charles Barkley apologized to Draymond Green after saying he wanted to "punch his a-- in the face."
• Barkley made the apology after speaking with an eclectic group of mentors, including Michael Wilbon, Jason Whitlock, and NBA referee Derrick Stafford.
• All three mentors told Barkley that the comment was inappropriate.
• Barkley clarified that he still feels that way about Green, but acknowledges that it was inappropriate to say it on air.

Charles Barkley apologized on Wednesday night to Draymond Green and his mother for saying he wanted to punch the NBA star "in the face."

Barkley did temper the apology a bit by clarifying that he meant what he said but acknowledged that he should not have said it on air.

"I apologize to Draymond Green and his mom," Barkley said on TNT. "What I said was inappropriate. I would never punch an NBA player. I meant what I said. I meant what I said. But I would never punch an NBA player. Draymond Green is a good player. I think he is a nice kid. I wish him nothing but the best. But what I said was inappropriate."

The apology came after Barkley spoke with an eclectic group of people he referred to as his mentors.

"I've got guys who are mentors to me," Barkley said. "They called me today and told me what I said was inappropriate. Derrick Stafford, Jason Whitlock, and Mike Wilbon. They're my mentors and big brothers."

Whitlock and Wilbon are both former newspaper columnists who now hosts shows on FS1 and ESPN, respectively, but with widely contrasting styles. Wilbon also edited Barkley's book, "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It." Stafford is an NBA referee whom Barkley has referred to as one of his "good friends" and has influenced Barkley's charity work.

You can see Barkley's apology here:

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