Charles Barkley initially 'blew a gasket' over Allie LaForce's Erin Popovich question

Charles Barkley said he initially “blew a gasket” when TNT reporter Allie LaForce asked LeBron James about the death of Gregg Popovich’s wife, Erin, Wednesday night.

LaForce interviewed James as he was leaving the court following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Game 2 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

“I said, ‘What the (expletive) was that? That was so rude and inappropriate,' " Barkley, one of TNT’s NBA analysts, told USA TODAY Sports. “And they said, ‘Hold on, let me tell you what happened.’ "

Barkley said he then learned that LaForce had checked with James in advance to see if it was OK for her to ask the question.

“When they told me they warned him in advance, it did change my perspective and I said, ‘OK, even though I might not agree, I can live with it if they gave him a head’s up,’ ” Barkley said, adding of James’ response to the question, “I think he handled it as well as he could.”

LaForce did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY Sports left by voicemail and text message.

TNT spokesman Jay Moskowitz referred requests for comment to the remarks that Ernie Johnson, the network’s Inside the NBA studio host, made at the end of the broadcast.

Johnson explained to viewers that LaForce had informed James that the San Antonio Spurs announced during the Cavs' game that Erin Popovich had died and asked if James wanted to comment.

“(James) said he would and his words were heartfelt,’’ Johnson said.

After the game, James came to LaForce's defense and said he was not blindsided by the question.