NBA Hall of Famer and television analyst Charles Barkley dove into the political realm Thursday night to make a point.

While discussing the missed call against LeBron James last Saturday at the end of the Los Angeles Lakers- Boston Celtics game, Barkley came to the defense of the referees.

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (6) reacts after missing a shot late in the fourth quarter during a game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Boston.
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

«I’m sitting here watching that game the other night, and then I see all these other jerks and jerks and jack—– on TV complaining,» Barkley said. «Man, you act like it’s the first time a referee has missed a call.

«They don’t try to miss calls, Shaq,» he continued. «Come on man, stop. Every referee has missed a call. For. They didn’t try to miss the call.»

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In Saturday’s game, James drove to the hoop with four seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the game tied 105-105.

James was unable to convert, with replay clearly showing Jayson Tatum dirtying James in the arm

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (6) misses a shot against Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, top center, late in the fourth quarter of a game Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Boston.

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (6) misses a shot against Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, top center, late in the fourth quarter of a game Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Boston.
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

The referees did not call the foul, which led to James’s anger and the game into overtime.

Social media was abuzz with criticism of the referees, and the NBA referees’ Twitter account later admitted to a the foul should have been penalized on Tatum late in the fourth quarter.

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Shaquille O’Neal accused Barkley of siding with the referees, which is when Barkley brought politics into the discussion.

«I’m not defending the refs. I didn’t think it was a national security thing like they did,» Barkley said. “You sound like those fools in Washington, DC, worrying about the papers in the Trump house, the Biden house, and the Pence house. Like these guys are going to sell them to the Russians or something.

«Man, shut up! Shut up! President Biden, Vice President Pence and Trump are not going to try to sell anyone nuclear secrets. Stop wasting your time, Congress!»

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President Biden, former President Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence are facing controversy over their alleged mishandling of classified documents.

It is the second time in a week that Barkley has turned political, with the NBA hall of fame he recently made his feelings clear on the NBA’s All-Star voting process.

Charles Barkley speaks to the crowd during the Class of 2022 Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala as part of the 2022 Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 9, 2022, at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Charles Barkley speaks to the crowd during the Class of 2022 Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala as part of the 2022 Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 9, 2022, at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

«We let the fans vote. Look what happened the last time you voted for president,» Barkley said on January 26.

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After an awkward silence and the host telling Barkley that he would «really give it to me tonight», Barkley clarified his statement.

«I don’t mean the old man,» Barkley said as Shaquille O’Neal laughed. «I mean the guy before the old one. Sorry. Sorry, President Biden. I didn’t mean President Biden.»