Charles Barkley clashes with San Antonio mayor and backs Knicks over Spurs in NBA Finals

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones confronted former NBA star Charles Barkley on ESPN’s *Inside the NBA* about his decade‑long jokes targeting San Antonio’s women, saying, “you can’t teach courage, you can’t teach class.” Barkley’s mockery of the city has been a recurring segment.

During the same finals coverage, Barkley predicted the New York Knicks would defeat the San Antonio Spurs in six games, noting the Knicks’ superior offensive rating, strong playoff statistics and heavy betting support. He told ESPN Radio, “I got the Knicks in six.”