NBA great Charles Barkley has criticised Kiwi centre Steven Adams for a "bush league play" on Portland's Damian Lillard.
In the final minutes of Wednesday's (NZ time) game between the Thunder and Trail Blazers, Adams set a perfectly legal screen on Lillard, which sent the Portland guard tumbling to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Moments later, Lillard exchanged words with Adams.
Known for his physical game during his playing career, Barkley called out Adams’ screen on TNT’s postgame show, saying that while the screen was a "good play", it was also "bush league".
He added that he would never have allowed that to happen to a teammate.
Barkley's co-commentators Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, both former NBA players, disagreed and were satisfied there was nothing wrong with the screen.
Adams, 25, was asked about the incident afterwards and showed no remorse towards his opponent.
"It might have hurt, but it's not my problem really," Adams said. "That's on his big man to let him know there's a screen.
"He got upset with me, but he should have gotten upset with his 'big'. That's all I was telling him and he knew I was right.
"I wasn't doing anything illegal or anything, so he's got to talk to his 'big' about that."
The Trail Blazers lead the Thunder 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, with game three scheduled for Saturday.
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