Either your healthy to play or you aren’t.

That’s Charles Barkley’s take Friday when discussing the availability of Alabama star Grant Nelson prior to the start of the Tide’s first-round NCAA Tournament game against Robert Morris.

Alabama coach Nate Oats announced prior to the game that Nelson would be available but wouldn’t start.

“I hate it to be honest with you,” Barkley said.

“First of all, (Mark) Sears is terrific. Nelson was the reason they got all the way to the Final Four (last year). He was tremendous.

“I don’t like when they phrase it (like that). No. 1, if you’re going to warm up, you’re warm. Now, you have to go back to the bench and cool off with a leg injury. That doesn’t make any sense.”

Nelson left Alabama’s loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament late in the first half due to a knee injury. He wore a knee brace on the left leg to get shots up as Alabama practiced Thursday.

“He’s not starting but he’s available?” Barkley asked. “No. You either play or you can’t play. You can’t leave too much doubt in the player and the team.”

Kenny Smith agreed with Barkley. Of course, Oats could simply be saying he can play, but only if the Tide needs him.

“I think the same thing about (Duke’s) Cooper Flagg,” he said. “Man, you can never leave it up to a player. Players always want to play. A coach, you are a leader of men. You make a decision.”

Either way, Barkley was adamant about the Tide’s chances Friday.

“Alabama, no disrespect, don’t need him to beat Robert Morris, in my opinion.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.