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Jason Williams calls Barkley a 'loser'

REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Former NBA point guard Jason Williams defended Kevin Durant from the criticism he received in the wake of his free-agent decision, and targeted one prominent detractor in particular.

"All these guys (like Charles) Barkley and them," Williams told DYST's Mike Ortiz Jr. "Talking about, 'oh they wouldn't have done it,' well they was never free agents back in the day ... like they didn't have the choice. Nobody wanted his ass on their team because he was a loser. So that's what I think about that."

Barkley, who's in the Hall of Fame after a 16-year NBA career that produced one MVP award and 11 All-Star appearances, is no stranger to accusations that he was lazy. Just last week he admitted to eating McDonald's during Philadelphia 76ers practices in the '80s. In 1999, Scottie Pippen said Barkley's "sorry fat butt" would never win a championship "because he doesn't show the dedication."

Williams was speaking Friday after his team - which also included the point guard he was traded for in 2001, Mike Bibby - was eliminated from The Tournament, the $2-million open bracket that annually attracts several former NBA and college stars.

Related: White Chocolate has still got it

The candid "White Chocolate" also chimed in on other NBA issues, including comparisons of rookie Ben Simmons' passing ability to that of Williams himself.

"I'm not one to compare man," Williams said. "I got a championship (with the Miami Heat in 2006), that's all I'm going to say. Good luck with the Sixers getting a championship."

When asked if he'd consider coaching, Williams was forthright about his priorities.

"I'm one irresponsible 40-year old," he said. "So coaching is out the window ... no way. You know I could maybe be an assistant somewhere. But if I've got a responsibility to be somewhere at like 3 o'clock tomorrow for practice and someone calls me to go to Augusta and play golf, I’m going to go play golf."

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