To be honest, we're all a little tired of former players ripping on the current crop of NBA stars.

It's tiring to hear the revisionist history thrown around about how these guys respected the game more, hypocrisy that was pointed out nicely by LeBron James this season during his mini-feud with Charles Barkley.

Well, the Chuckster might be at it again with a general slap in the face at this generation, although he did it by complimenting one of the league's least-heralded stars.

Chuck sung the praises of Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies recently, saying the point guard earned every penny of his money while some others really didn't.

After the Grizzlies earned a 110-108 overtime victory on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs, Barkley said that Conley is the most underrated player in the NBA.

"Mike Conley earned every dime he's ever got," Barkley said, "he's been the most underrated player in the NBA in the last 10 years. I respect that guy so much as a player. He’s gotten the most out of his ability. I think he’s been the most underrated player in the NBA in the last 10 years. People, they’re always talking about who makes money, let me tell you something there are some damn bums in this league. They’re like Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde, some guys I grew up with. They’re just bonafide crooks. But Mike Conley, man, I just want to give you a shout out. We don’t have y’alls game tonight, but you earned every dime you got. You just amazing.”

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal tweeted Conley's appreciative response.

"That's love," Conley said. "I appreciate that."

Barkley is right to applaud the former Ohio State point guard, who gets lost in the shuffle somewhat in Memphis.

In the win, Conley had 35 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and he has Memphis on the verge of really putting a scare into the Spurs with an opportunity to gain a 3-2 series lead with a game Tuesday night deep in the heart of Texas.

While everyone has talked about the great emerging point guards in the league, such as John Wall of the Washington Wizards, and brilliant play by MVP candidates James Harden of Houston and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, Conley's name doesn't get mentioned nearly enough.

He's a reliable scorer and capable leader for a team that's turning some heads so far in the first round of the playoffs.

We'll see if Conley can earn something even more than his contract this week against San Antonio.