Could the man in the above photo actually become the Governor of Alabama one day?
In today's world, anything is possible, but I'd have to say it's not
likely. Just as it's not likely that Barkley will ever be an NBA GM one
day, even though he stated matter of factly that he "is going to be an
NBA GM" on ESPN's Pardon theInterruption last week.
To many people in the sporting community, Barkley is like a big,
lovable, talking teddy bear, who fans and players alike revered for his
candidness and on air personality as a broadcaster.
Truth be told, Barkley is a teddy bear that has spit on a little
girl at a basketball game (albeit he wasn't aiming at her), broke a
man's nose in one fist fight after an away game and threw another man
through a plate glass window on another occasion, (Sounds a little more
like Chewbacca than the Snuggles Bear to me).
For years Barkley has gotten free pass to speak freely on many
sensitive topics of a social and racial nature that many other black
sports personalities get blasted for in the media. Jason Whitlock of
FOX Sports and Detroit Piston Rasheed Wallace are examples of black
sports personalities that have felt the backlash of being openly vocal
about racial issues, a dynamic that apparently has no affect on
Barkley's relationship with fans or his bosses.
Sir Charles has called Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson race baiters,
said that athletes should not be role models for children and also told
USA Today that the reason that black people cannot be
successful is because of other black people. While there are many who
would agree with his assertions, it is still a wonder that in today's
'politically correct' media, the future Hall-of-Fame player remains
unchecked.
Now, Barkley's gambling addiction has been thrust front and center
for the world to see and the picture that has been painted is not a
pretty one.
According to Bloomberg News reports, Wynn Resorts Ltd., which owns a
casino in Las Vegas is suing the 'Round Mound of Rebound' for $400,000.
Money which the casino reports to have loaned Barkley last October.
When asked why he hadn't paid back the money, Barkley said simply,
"I let the time lapse...I forgot." Like the comedian Chris Rock once
said. "You don't ever forget where you got some free money."
I do not dislike Charles Barkley, but I don't have any special
affinity for him as a commentator nor as a representative of the black
perspective in sports. Part of the reason that it seems to get away
with being on the controversial side of many topics is because he has
always been quick to dismiss the pulse of much of black America,
choosing a position that often comes off as elitist.
Even in in his response to the gambling debt he is facing in Nevada
now, "I'm not broke..." Barkley added. The problem is many Americans
are broke, or close to it anyway. In Alabama, where Barkley wants to be
Governor someday, over a million people are living below the poverty
level and over 65% of those people are black citizens.
Barkley is taking some heat for his recent gambling revelations, but
he continues to push forward as if he's wearing a teflon suit. While
the majority of blacks in Alabama are living paycheck to paycheck, he
acknowledges that he has lost over $10 million in his lifetime, once
over $1 million in a single day.
Yet Barkley continues to brush any character defects off of his
shoulders with callous disregard to both the example he might be
setting for the next generation of aspiring sports stars concerning
fiscal responsibility as well as the judgement capabilities, or lack
therof that you think he would need to exhibit for any constituency he
may plan on pandering for votes in the future.
One of Barkley's most memorable assertions in his career was that
athletes should not be role models. If we are to take Barkley's actions
into as much consideration as his words, then he is dead on in that
assessment.
If his track record is anything to gauge his performance by, they shouldn't be Governors either.
Barkley admitted his gambling addiction years ago. Those are not recent revelations. And at least he acknowleges his debt and promised to pay, not weasel out of it like some people.
I like Barkley, even though I disagree with him a lot of times. I do shudder to think of him as governor of any state in this country.
Curly Mo
Not so long ago a guy in Barkley's predicament would never have been heard from again. Funny how times have changed isn't it ?
$400k is that all Wynn Resorts are squabbling over ? I wonder how much MJ has blown in their establishments over the years ?
I've a new NBA post up titled Hig Hopes We've Got High Hopes ...! Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece in question ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
rampant' aka tophatal ........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 16th at 2:01 PM.
The reason Barkley gets away with it is because he is funny in front of the cameras. Nothing more. You try to find some deep dark diabolical reason for everything. America is not that deep regardless of race. Barkley is amusing in front of a camera. It goes no deeper than that.
You quote Chris Rock. Go see Chris Rock and the audience is 90% black and most his routines are putting down lower economic blacks and women. I don't enjoy Chris Rock because I think he denigrates women. But his audience doesn't seem to be bothered by either of his subject matters. America is not that deep. They go to laugh.
Last edited by NiqueDodson on May 16th at 2:19 PM.
What is your point Miss Dodson? You say that Barkley gets away with stuff because he's funny. That exactly what I was trying to say. You don't mind Barkley speaking about race because he's funny. He amuses you like blacks in a minstrel show. But if someone tries to be serious about a race issue then they are causing race problems. Your true colors are showing again. Yes, please continue loving Barkley the joking ####. But God forbid we want to have a serious talk about race issues in America. I wonder if he ran for Governor of your state would YOU vote for him?
Fight the Power! LMAO
I agree, Barkley did come clean about his gambling addiction some time back. But that excuse him from the same abuse that Pete Rose has had to endure for so many years, because he came clean? He hasn't stopped. How can we be sure that he didn't bet on basketball? When you are down a million bucks there's no telling what you would do to break even. Barkley has shown a pattern of self destructive and abusive behavior his entire career, but he gets away with it? Why is that? I know Barkley is loved by many, but you would be surprised of the number of blacks in professional media who view him as a step and fetch commentator.
Curly...your comment to Niq told me more than your whole blog. I always liked CB, as a player and announcer. Now I know why my black friends roll their eyes when I bring up something he said that I thought was funny.
I always thought he was just speaking his mind. And, that he was on TV for entertainment, not to champion various social issues. Thanks for the enlightenment.
I didn't say I love Barkley. To me he's just another old player who I don't even know what he's talking about most the time. Wow you're so sensitive to race I won't post here anymore. You just can't accept that everyone is not a member of the K-K-K or the Nation of Islam. Some people, in fact most people, including me are just not that political. We live from day to day judging people not on the color of their skin, not on how much power they have, not what kind of car/house they have but if they are people we like or not in our own little tiny world.
Don't get me wrong, Barkley like everyone else is always entitled to his opinion and I'm not saying it's his responsibility to champion black causes. But I find it peculiar that he has done some of the same things that someone like say, Stephen Jackson has done and yet Captain Jack is vilified by the media while Barkley has to turn down television appearances. Yet if someone was to take an in depth look at the work Stephen Jackson does off the court they would be overwhelmed by the compassion and commitment that he gives to those in need. I don't hate Barkley, but he's as much of an eyesore as Stephen A. Smith. Give me more John Saunders' in sports, more Mike Tirico's you see what I'm saying?
If that is the case Miss Dodson, then it's possible that you should stay clear of topics and issues where race and culture are prevalent or even possible. I have family members who see the world in a much more optimistic view than I do. They know better than to get me started. I try to attract readers who are looking for that edge that I shoot for. The controversy that I thrive in. I welcome your comments and debate always. But be prepared when you tread in my arena it gets dark in here sometimes. Not always, but sometimes.
Curly, when Barkley was playing and pulled the stunts he did, he took a lot of heat for them. But he is retired now. What he does in his spare time and with his own money had no bearing on basketball. He can bet on basketball all he wants, it will not affect the games. Had this all come out while he was playing, it would have been a completely different story.
And look at Shaq. He can say the most outrageous things and get away with it. And he is still playing. Why? Who knows? He has the rep of "Oh, it is just Shaq being Shaq". But I doubt he could survive a gambling scandal while playing.
When Stephen Jackson retires, he may very well get a job in TV, that is if he is so desires and has the right gift for gab so to speak. No one will care then what he did on the court.
And Barkley and Stephen A, Smith are on the air for the very same reason. They say outrageous thing that get people talking and listening. The only difference is Smith is abrasive and brash and Barkley is a little softer and funny. Just a difference in style. I would say though that Barkley is a little more knowledgeable about the game than Smith. Just not sure what credentials Smith has to even be an analysist.
