Charles

Barkley

Barkley was not feeling well last week, which led to him taking the test. Fortunately, he had good news to report. “I’ve received my COVID-19 test results this morning and they are negative. I’d like to thank everyone for reaching out and expressing your concern and support. You all be safe and please take the necessary actions to help ensure your well-being,” said Barkley.

“That’s right up there with new Coke,” said Barkley. This isn’t newsworthy, but after 48 hours of listening to David Stern talk, this was funny.

“I actually disagree with all the criticism that people are giving the Knicks. I think the Knicks should be on national television this year. They actually got NBA players,’’ Barkley said on NBA TV. “Robin Lopez is an NBA player, Arron Afflalo is an NBA player, Jerian Grant is an NBA player. That’s three NBA players that they did not have last year. And they’re going to get Carmelo [Anthony] back. [Kristaps] Porzingis is going to be a good player, maybe not right now, but he’s going to be a good player.” Barkley has been particularly harsh on the Knicks in recent years, but this goes to show that despite not landing a marquee free agent, New York made some decent moves this summer and should be a lot more competitive this season.

Barkley said in a statement released Tuesday by TNT that he didn’t know about the district attorney’s $40,000 processing fee, but intends to pay it. “True to my word, I sent a $400,000 cashier’s check overnight to Wynn Las Vegas, which they confirmed they received,” Barkley said. “I was unaware of the additional 10 percent processing fee from the district attorney’s office and will make restitution on that promptly."This PR nightmare is nearly over for Barkley, who says he will take a year or two off from gambling as a result.

“I like to go into Vegas, it’s a fun place, but you know what, I’ve got to stop gambling. That’s the bottom line,” Barkley said. “I am not going to gamble anymore. For right now, the next year or two, I’m not going to gamble.” Barkley paid off his $400,000 debt to the Wynn Casino, and it probably hurt to write the check. We’ll see if he’s still feeling this way a month or two from now.

The money was given to Barkley as “markers”, or loans, last October. “My mistake,” Barkley said. “I’m not broke, and I’m going to take care of it.”

Sir Charles is in his first year of eligibility and is a lock. He’s a member of the 50 Greatest Players, an 11-time All-Star and has career averages of 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG and 3.9 APG. Others nominated include former NBA All-Stars Adrian Dantley, Joe Dumars, Chet Walker and Ralph Sampson; coaches Don Nelson, Gene Keady, Geno Auriemma and Van Chancellor; and long-time announcer Dick Vitale. The inductees will be announced April 3 in Indianapolis.

It seems hard to believe for those who remember him as a star player, but Barkley is entering his 17th years as a broadcaster. “I love my job, I love the people I work with,” Barkley said. “My big decision is, I’ve got two years left on my deal. That’ll be 17 years. That’s a long time to do a job. I would rather leave too early than stay too long. And 17 years is a long time.” While Barkley mentioned he may change his mind, he also expressed interest in taking a general manager’s job once his broadcasting days are over.

He’s been quoted as saying that he’s “rich like a republican, but not one.” He’s talked about being the governor of Alabama for several years now, but it looks like it could become a possibility in 2010.

He’s been off the air since taking a leave of absence on January 9 following his well-publicized December 31 arrest for drunk driving in Scottsdale, Arizona.