In a recent radio interview with Dan Patrick, Charles Barkley announced that he loved the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl and wagered $100,000 for them to cover the seven-point spread.  Dan then asked him if he thought betting that much money was wise.  Sir Charles replied that was actually the smallest sum of money that he’d wagered recently, later admitting to having once lost $2.5 million in a six hour period. 

 Now I’m not here to judge.  What a man does with his own money is his business.  More power to Charles if he’s invested his NBA salary wisely enough to be able to drop a cool mil or two on a horse race or a poker table.

However, I do find it ironic that Charles gets a pass in public opinion about this.  It’s almost as if we expect him to act this way.  Back in the day, when the story broke that Michael Jordan’s competitive nature led him to betting $18,000 a hole on a round of golf, it became huge news.  He was nearly ostracized and was certainly judged, so much so that it was “rumored” Commissioner Stern had asked Jordan to leave the game.  Imagine if the story broke that Pete Rose had gambled that much on the Super Bowl, or Jordan, or anyone else.

Perhaps Charles is now reaping the benefits of being so open and straightforward when he originally stated that he was “not a role model.”  Now, nobody expects him to walk the straight and narrow.  His moments of throwing pestering fans through windows are celebrated.  And his commentary on TNT's "Inside the NBA" has won the broadcast an Emmy award.

America oddly enough loves Sir Charles because he speaks his mind and doesn’t really care what anyone else thinks about him, his opinions, or his behavior.  Personally, I’m among the many who applaud Charles for his honesty and for his penchant for the occasional Vegas trip.  I can relate...  just not so much on the same scale.

10) Marv Albert's undergarments

9) Cheryl Miller play brother, Reggie, one-on-one with neither player allowed to shoot from behind the three point line

8) The lost Tony Parker-Eva Longoria sex tapes

7) LeBron winning a title

6) Another Raja Bell clothesline on Kobe

5) Larry Brown suggesting he should take a year off from coaching

4) Charles Barkley and John Daly in a drunken, blackjack duel.... first to lose ten million dollars wins

3) Jerry Stackhouse reading the NBA rulebook

2) Michael, Magic or Larry in their prime

1) Darko!