Charles Barkley, Shaq Rip Salt Lake City On Live TV — And Fans Have Thoughts

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal went after life in Salt Lake City as they offered commentary during the NBA All-Star Game at Vivint Arena on Sunday.

Barkley — who, along with O’Neal, shared praise for fans in Utah in the lead-up to All-Star Weekend festivities — criticized SLC for being a “boring ass city” before his TV co-host chimed in. The two are among the co-hosts of “Inside the NBA” and were hosting during the all-star festivities.

“These people going to heaven, ain’t nothing to do in this boring ass city,” said Barkley, who added to his take after a question from one of his co-hosts.

“It’s a great city but ain’t nothing to do here, these people are all going to heaven.”

“I never ate so much room service in my life,” O’Neal said.

“Can’t smoke, can’t drink, these people going to heaven,” Barkley added.

The comments received a mixed reaction from Twitter users on Sunday.

Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin (D) called out the two for their “super disappointing take.”

“Do better Shaq and Charles! Bet y’all were just cooped up in the all star VIP areas and didn’t even get into the city, and are just perpetuating a reputation we’re working hard to change,” Blouin tweeted.

Blouin, in response to one Twitter user’s pushback, added that Barkley’s “can’t smoke, can’t drink” claim was a lie.

“If it’s not their cup of tea, that’s fine. I didn’t come to Utah for the night life either,” Blouin wrote.

Other Twitter users agreed with Barkley and said he’s “not wrong,” despite their love for the capital city of the Beehive State.

“I’ve been to Utah…he ain’t wrong though lol,” wrote one user.

You can read more reactions to the Salt Lake City comments below.