Do you like Barkley and what he has to say?

[campybatman]

As a player... Whatever. But, as a person, I find him very irksome. He's a classic bigmouth that always has an opinion on a player or what have you. I guess he's somewhat amusing... But, not really.

To those of you that are Celtics fans that watch TNT, do you find him [Barkley] witty, engaging or annoying to listen to? Is he typically tough on Boston or open-minded as in objective? Yeah, right...

Seen and heard on TNT, during a studio analysts' debate about NBA point guards: Charles Barkley: "I love Steve Nash, but this is Chris Paul's and Deron Williams' league right now. I always say that Chris Paul is driving and Deron Williams is in the back seat." Reggie Miller: "Where's Steve Nash?" Barkley: "He's in the trunk." Los Angeles Times

[greenbeans]

I liked em in his playing days for sure(Barkley/KJ/Majerle Suns were one of my favorites when i was a youngn), but as an analyst he's horrible. He gets by on shock-value alone. He talks out of his a$$ in regards to any team thats not that seasons media darling(aka the bottom 28 teams).
In general I just can't stand watching guys who are there on their name alone, I'd rather watch some of the posters from here discuss hoops, they might atleast casually pay attention to a team like the (for arguments sake)Kings.

[chakdaddy]

He's a buffoon, but he's genuine about it and is hilarious. There have been imitators like Jayson Williams and to an extent Tom Tolbert, but they just sounded forced. So I don't agree with Barkley much, but he's a lovable idiot and is very entertaining.

Meanwhile Kenny Smith is hilarious as well and seems extremely intelligent - IMO the greatest analyst of all time, bar none.

[SonicYouth34]

I love him and the TNT crew. They all just say whatever and don't give a crap. I also like Stephen A. Smith, he's a riot to listen to on draft night.

[Bad-Thoma]

Don't always like what he has to say, but I love him for saying what he thinks. Sports in general needs more sincerity on all fronts, but especially from the media.

[TheTimeDoctor]

i also like him. the 'Larry Bird is rolling over in his grave' line was a classic.

[AlCelticFan]

I enjoy him. "Lovable idiot" suits him well.

Also, I'd like to point out that he is part of the balance. Having someone as (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and ridiculous as he is makes the other commentators stand out. It is part of the setup. Without him the show might end up too dry.

[chakdaddy]

I do think Barkley has an anti Celtics bias though, mainly because his sixers got their butts kicked by us so much...

But those guys make it feel like you're just watching the game with your boys, joking around, it's great.

I actually think the Mark Jackson and JVG combo achieved the same thing to a lesser extent (Breen not so much, he's no Ernie!). But I think we're really in a good era with regards to commentators.

Compare that to the dark days of lame-ass Tom Tolbert, Ahmad Rashad with his nose squarely lodged in Jordan's behind, etc etc...(shudder) Some people seem to miss it for some reason, but nba on nbc SUCKED.

[campybatman]

I can appreciate a person who's straightforward and can usually speak with candor. However, Barkley's apt to come across when he speaks as too honest. Or maybe honesty isn't the word... He's too open with what's on his mind that it seems like he's speaks before he thinks. I remember when Barkley was a player with I believe Phoenix and he spoke during a post game lost or playoff series elimination and when asked what he plans to do now. Barkley's answered was like: Go home, take a bath or sit in his jacuzzi or something and drink a beer. The beer I distinctively recall if I don't remember the rest verbatim. When I'd heard that... I was like OMG! Only Barkley could get away with saying that live in front of the media and on TV while children could be viewing and listening no doubt.

I didn't think of the similarity before but Barkley somewhat reminds me of the Stone Cold character from the WWE. Fans liked and cheered for him [the wrestler] because he spoke his mind, rarely took guff from anyone including his boss and drank beer whenever the opportunity presented itself. He could readily say what others couldn't but deep down would love to get away with saying out loud as well. There in lines what makes Charles Barkley him. He's a person that oftentimes can say whatever he feels like saying usually without recourse or regret. There's always consequences with what you do and say in life. Still, with Barkley, it's as if to say: That's Barkley being Barkley so we find it entertaining if anything. Move on. Still, he isn't a jester by any mean. He's an intelligent person but one who has some country in him too. I don't say that to sound mean.

[AlCelticFan]

Children aren't allowed to know that adults drink beer?

I appreciate Barley's frankness.

[campybatman]

I think you're missing the point. Barkley was allowed to be too relaxed during his post game interview. Sometimes, you could speak with some tact. Perhaps, he'd offended that child's mother or father who aren't aware that players like Barkley are allowed to speak that explicit. I wasn't offended per se. However, I was indeed surprised with his openness. You can't assume that just adults are up late viewing a game or post season game. What Barkley said was harmless, I know... But, you never know... Stern could've received letters and what not.

[GuyClinch]

I like him. It's like listening to one of your buddies talk about sports. People on the internet need to lighten up. I don't think he is a genius sports analyst but just because he doesn't couch his words in scout speak that doesn't make him an idiot. It's hilarious that all these non-nba guys with no real experience believe they are so superior to him. Get over yourself...

[7seventynine9]

JVG is awesome as someone else pointed out.

Barkley is ok as long as he isnt talking about the Celtics. He is just anti-boston. Im sure hes against other teams too and I just fail to realize it because they arent the Celtics.

[Ortho Stice]

Barkley's answered was like: Go home, take a bath or sit in his jacuzzi or something and drink a beer. The beer I distinctively recall if I don't remember the rest verbatim. When I'd heard that... I was like OMG!

I actually remember this. I was wee and the Suns were somehow my second favorite team, with Barkley my favorite player. It was after a hard-fought win that had gone into overtime I think, and after the game there was the said interview in which Barkley spoke about the possibility of drinking a beer afterward. As a child I would see these heroes on television and often forget that they had lives outside of basketball, and the few non-basketball facts I'd learn about them came from those thin books that came from the Scholastic book club which prudently castrated the dirty truths about athletes' lives and maintained my good opinion of them. Sometimes athletes forget that these games aren't taking place on the playground and that they can't run their mouths in front of a camera which broadcasts to impressionable children. This is why players like LeBron are literally coached by experts on what to say to the media. Sure, stock-phrases like, "it was a team effort," or "we're just taking it one game at a time," or "we did what we had to do and executed our plays," are boring, but the possibility of seeming offensive isn't wise for a player in want of the public's respect and the maximum amount of money in endorsements.

[7seventynine9]

wow, I cant imagine anyone getting upset over a guy saying hes going to drink a beer. We really do live in an uptight PR conscious world.

[AlCelticFan]

You guys are making me laugh like crazy over here. Beer isn't illegal. Millions of Americans drink them everyday.

Is this the Twilight Zone?

No. finding out your favorite athlete, in fact, drinks beer could not have sent your youth into a downward spiral. Your reality was not shattered by the evilness of those you had idolized.

[bruno sundov]

Why would anyone get upset over a person of age having a beer?

You have to take Chucks comments with a grain of salt. he is refreshing because you are going to know what he think. That's all it is people is his opinoin. I think he has has right when talking about CP3 also.

[Prophet_C]

Children aren't allowed to know that adults drink beer?

I appreciate Barley's frankness.

Wow I must be overtired but that made me lol. I know it wasn't intentional

[giambijuice]

Children aren't allowed to know that adults drink beer?

I appreciate Barley's frankness.

Wow I must be overtired but that made me lol. I know it wasn't intentional

good catch. as far as barkley, he's a moron i take with a grain of salt. he's basically comic relief.

[ParticleMan]

I like Chuck. The only problem is when he actually tries to do analysis. He's just a fun guy to listen to, the sort of guy i'd love to have over to watch a game with. If you have a problem with what Barkley says (including that beer comment), you need to get a life. Barkley's always spoken his mind and for the most part he doesn't say anything mean and doesn't offend anyone, he's just having a good time. He's entertainment.

JvG otoh surprised the hell out of me by how funny and loose he is. I always thought of him as an uptight intense Rick Carlisle sort of guy, maybe because of his coaching style. But he's probably the best announcer on TV today.