NBA: Charles Barkley Raises Firm Questions to Commissioner Adam Silver Regarding Recent Domestic Violence Cases by Players

Adam Silver - Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets

(Photo : Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) DENVER, COLORADO - NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks near the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the Denver Nuggets celebrate their championship with a banner raising and ring ceremony before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena on October 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

Former NBA player and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley directly addressed league commissioner Adam Silver, highlighting his concerns about the recent "disturbing incidents" involving players allegedly engaging in acts of domestic violence.

Charles Barkley asks Adam Silver about the domestic violence issues within the NBA pic.twitter.com/dhU73K4MGO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 24, 2023

During an NBA Opening Night interview before the Denver Nuggets' ring ceremony and game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Barkley diverged from the planned script to question the league's actions regarding the matter.

The 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player emphatically added that no one should lay their hands on a woman.

Silver appeared to be caught off-guard by the question, but he answered it by highlighting a revamped program addressing domestic violence accusations.

"We put in place a new program for how we deal with, first of all, accusations of domestic violence even before they're prosecuted. Part of it goes to the training of our players," the 61-year-old commissioner said.

Silver also mentioned that the league has state-of-the-art counseling professionals working with the players, emphasizing that the consequences would be substantial if a player crosses the line.

Recent NBA players involved in domestic violence cases

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges surrendered to authorities in early October after an arrest warrant was issued in January for his violation of a protection order linked to a previous 2022 domestic violence case.

Meanwhile, guard Kevin Porter Jr. is currently facing charges of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault on his girlfriend, and he was initially traded by the Houston Rockets and subsequently waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder.