NBA Team Apologizes After Misinformation about Billy Ray Bates

ATLANTA, Ga. — The crew from “Inside the NBA” found themselves under scrutiny over the weekend after a miscommunication about former NBA player Billy Ray Bates, 68, sparked controversy. During a discussion on air, Charles Barkley questioned whether Bates was still alive, prompting an apology from the show’s host, Ernie Johnson.

Bates, who is best known for his impressive 29-point playoff debut with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1980, has largely faded from public attention, but he remains a figure in NBA history. Despite this, Barkley’s question brought his name back to the forefront, albeit for the wrong reasons.

<p"Billy Ray Bates was built like a truck," said Kenny Smith, prompting Barkley’s query about Bates’s status. Barkley’s comment was met with dismay by his colleagues. “It’s a fair question!” Barkley defended, to which Smith replied, “Not on national television!” Ernie Johnson emphasized the inappropriateness of the question, advising Barkley to avoid such inquiries unless he knew the answer.

Further complicating matters, Shaquille O'Neal mistakenly claimed that Bates had passed away, a statement which later required immediate correction. Following the game between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, Johnson issued a formal apology to both Bates and his family.

“We would like to issue a correction and an apology for something that happened last night on ‘Inside the NBA,’” Johnson said. He acknowledged that the comment about Bates’s death was not only inaccurate but also insensitive, describing it as “inexcusable.”

This incident has drawn ire on social media, where fans criticized the crew for failing to verify their facts before airing such sensitive information. Observers noted that the crew hastily concluded Bates’s fate without conducting quick research.

In addition to his memorable playoff debut, Bates enjoyed a career that spanned three seasons in the NBA, also playing for the Washington Bullets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bates’s tenure in the NBA was brief but impactful, leading to an outstanding playoff scoring average. In six playoff games with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 26.7 points in 36.5 minutes per outing.

Despite having a relatively short NBA career, Bates’s legacy endures among fans and basketball historians alike. His contributions to the game remain notable, and he still holds a special place in the NBA’s playoff history.