Charles Barkley, the basketball commentator known for his sharp tongue, has landed in hot water after taking a swipe at Galveston, Texas during a segment on TNT's NBA coverage. Barkley, never one to shy away from controversy, zinged the Gulf Coast city while discussing the New Orleans Pelicans' heavy playoff losses, suggesting the team might as well vacation in Galveston's "dirty a** water" rather than the traditional athlete's paradise of Cancun. "We're not even going to send them to Cancun, we gone send them to Galveston with that dirty a** water be washed up on the shore," Barkley quipped, causing fellow analyst Shaquille O'Neal to erupt in laughter, as per FOX 26 Houston.

These comments swiftly resulted in a backlash from fans and locals, including a notable rebuttal from Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, a Galveston native. As her pointed words made the rounds, Barkley was quick to backpedal, making clear he wanted to avoid conflict with the famed Beyhive. "I don't want that smoke. I don't want the Beyhive and Jay after me," Barkley clarified, in a statement released by KENS 5. Yet, despite his retraction, Barkley couldn't help but take another jab at another Texas locale, adding, "That water is so dirty I'd rather go to San Antonio with those big ole' women."

Barkley's digs at the San Antonio community are not new; the city has long been the butt of Barkley's jokes, particularly during NBA broadcasts. His consistent pokes at San Antonio's River Walk, the Alamo, and local women have historically raised eyebrows and ruffled feathers among Spurs fans and Texas patriots. Galveston, however, has now joined San Antonio in the crosshairs of Barkley's brash brand of humor. As reported by KENS 5, it remains to be seen how San Antonio will receive Barkley when he attends the city next year for the 2025 NCAA Final Four tournament.

In the meantime, the Pelicans' somber postseason prospects have become fodder for the kind of commentary that has become Barkley's signature. As they stand on the brink of elimination, the suggestion that they should drive down to nearby Galveston instead of flying out to Cancun served to further underline their disappointing performance – a point Barkley was all too eager to drive home. The team, currently 0-3 in the series, has been playing less than stellar basketball, as they've lost games 2 and 3 by over 20 points, according to FOX 26 Houston. But whether in jest or just plain mean, Barkley's comments have once again stirred the pot, proving that in the court of public opinion, not even a beach town can feel safe from his on-air antics.