Subpar - Charles Barkley Interview: Gambling on the course with Michael Jordan and the difficulty of criticizing friends as an analyst

Episode Date: May 12, 2020

On this week's episode of GOLF's Subpar, NBA Legend, and analyst, Charles Barkley joins former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and his close friend and on course rival Drew Stoltz for an exclusive, in-studio, interview. Charles explains the difficulty of criticizing friends as an analyst, how it affected his relationships with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and why his golf game just isn't as good as it used to be. Charles also shares some legendary tales from gambling on the course and at the tables.

Hello world welcome to this week's episode of golf subpar. I am Colt Nose joined as always by the sleazy man Drew Stoltz how we doing Drew Stoltz Well I'm I'm feeling more at home than ever before. We're right here at the Scottsdale open Jickey Jack City is being dubbed as the masters of the mini tours this year I've felt I've never felt more comfortable I feel like I'm back home I've been released in my natural habitat again Why are you doing I I am I am not that comfortable but I'm working on it I arrived today for a pro am at a 144 pro am I I got here about 115, went out to some balls, some gentlemen on the range told me the range closes at 130. Yep.

I was a little flustered. I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I got two drink tickets. That was nice. Nice perk. Played with four lovely drunk gentlemen. It was a great time. But I'm excited, I'm excited to tee it up in my first jickey jack tomorrow. This is real, I told you dude, these things are fun and you got to tell the story.

What happened when you showed up to register? Give it to us. Some shit has never changed, that is for sure. I mean, back in my day on the PGA tour, I would show. I would show up and they'd be like, sir, who's your pro? Or you know, during pro-ims, who's your pro? All this. Or caddy registrations down the street.

I walk in, this beautiful lady was sitting there. She's like, your name? And I was like, Colt, no. She's like, do you know which group you're in? And I was like, yeah, I'm the 144. She's like, okay, which amateur are you? And I'm like, some things never change. Yes.

Right back to when I started. Jicks, baby. They don't even know you're a pro here. They're gonna know. But really, it's fun. It's a different vibe. You never been a part of it. not getting the full experience with the hotels and rooming with dudes and stuff like that,

but fun day. So ladies, I played with some awesome guys, four dudes from United Reynolds. They couldn't have been more fun. They enjoyed themselves immensely, I must say. That's what you do in a pro am on the jicks. If you're not coming out here to have five, six, 10, 12 cocktails, what do you really hear for? I totally agree. It was a blast.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. 7.30 is going to be a little early, but great group. Friend of the program, Kevin Strelman, and also a caddy up at Whisper Rock, Andrew Buckle. Oh, the legend. The legend. Former tour player Andrew Buckle, by the way. Almost won at Torrey Pines back in his heyday. It's going to be fun.

That's a good group. Bright and early. We'll be getting after it. Absolutely. I cannot wait to see. I know you're a little. You felt a little disrespectful this morning when the odds were released. You saw what you were going off as as a winner.

You started at 100 to one. Disrespectful? How did you take that? It was very disrespectful. I mean, let's not just, let's not sugarcoat this thing. It was borderline a slap in the face. I mean, I think the last tour event I played I was 80 to one. Yeah.

No disrespect to the Scottsdale Open. The field was a little stronger at waste management. Yeah, watch yourself. Hey, it's okay. The line's already moved. You know, the gamblers have been heavy on me. I think I'm at 40 to 1 now, getting ready to go off. So we'll see what happened.

The secrets out. Well, this brings us to what we were getting into before all this corona and everything. We had a little gambling segment every week. We got to resume that this week being if there is live golf and there are odds being out there right now. So right now we're going to do one favorite quote unquote and one underdog. We need a guy that's less than 100 to one. We're going to draw the line right at 100 to 1, being that on the sheet you are at 100 to 1.

So that's the cutoff. How convenient. We need one guy that you like better odds than that, and one guy at 100 to 1 or worse. I think I know where you're going with the 100 to 1. Go ahead and fire. I'm going to back myself. Smart. I like it.

That's for sure. And with as big a lead as I have, you should probably back me as well. This money needs to be multiplied, by the way. This money kept exactly like how it is. If I pick the winner, by the way. No, it does. All right. As far as one of the favorites, I'm going to go at 20 to 1 Brandon Harkins.

Okay. I like a local guy knows this place well, should play well this week. All right, popular pick, I like that, very good play. I'm going to go from my 100 to 1 or worse. I'm going with a guy who's exactly 100 to 1. He's not you because I can't pick you, although my heart is with you. I hope you win this thing for the sake of our rep for our street cred here. I'm going Daniel Mirnicki.

He's a former University of Oregon player, very good player, won a bunch of times out there and he's been around the jakey jack circuit and he's done well, especially in California. So he's my 100 to 1. And then looking at the front end, if you're looking at the favorites, I got to go here, 18 to 1, Dylan Wu. He's number five on the corn furry money list right now. A lot of the guys out there are saying he's the real deal. He's great.

He's a Northwestern grad. 18 to 1. I'm staying away from all tour players. St. Jerome doesn't get a pick. Lashley doesn't get a pick. None of these guys. I'm going, Dylan Wu, 18 to 1, that's my favorite. Well, all right.

I like it. Should be a good battle. It should be interesting. I cannot wait to see how you fare in your first ever jick. I'm excited for it. But what I'm also excited for, the next man up on golf subpar, sir Charles himself. this is a big one for us.

Yeah, this is bucket list for you and I. I mean, no disrespect to the other guests we've had on golf subpar, but this is, I would have to say, by far, the biggest guy we've had, literacy and figuratively. Right. I mean, it's going to be, it's awesome. No filter with Sir Charles. I can't wait to ask him some great questions.

It's going to be a blast. Yep. It's one of the best. Hard to get a bigger guest, literally or figuratively from here, but we'll see where we can go. But here he is, Sir Charles himself. All right, Colt. We teased it last week, and sure enough, here he is.

He is NBA Hall of Fame or two-time Olympic gold medalist, one of the 50 greatest NBA players in the history of the game and maybe, quote, most impressively, the man responsible for single-handedly ruining the teaching credibility of Hank Haney. Sir Charles is in the house. What's up, brother? Oh, man, I'm nervous of being around YouTube. How nervous?

Oh, nervous since I bar the francis to go to the senior prom. That's nervous. I love it. I love it. I'm glad. Thanks for having me, guys. Man, this is, this is, This is awesome.

You know, we've known each other for quite a while. I honestly can say when we first met, I didn't think I would ever be interviewing you. Well, when we first met, when I gave you my number, I just know you were not only going to call me all the time. You were actually going to move here. I love you, man. I follow you.

You know, we played on a pro rams up in Canada at Wayne Graskey's golf tournament. That's how we met. And then like any time I play with pros, I say, if you ever need anything, here's my number. I didn't think he's going to call me. Just being nice. Just being nice. Then not only that, he moved here.

I'm like, holy smoke. This dude is stalking me. Yeah, that's the next thing. Hey, cool, man. What's your address? I'm looking at some property out here in Scottsdale. Hey, listen, I'm, listen, nobody can come to my neighborhood right now. It's desolate over there, man.

You know, this thing is so, you have to joke about it because it's so crazy and sad because, you know, you've got people obviously who passed away, blessed them and their families, and you got these restaurants. I've been trying to eat out a couple days a week at my space. favorite spots just to, you know, pick up food to keep them. A lot of those restaurants aren't going to open up again. Because, you know, even when they open up, people ain't going to have money to go out to eat. And also people are going to be scared of congregating.

So, man, shout out to all the people. Obviously, the health care workers and nurses and the doctors, but think, just hopefully things that work out for all the people who work in the hospitality industry. For sure. That's, that's very well, we were lucky. Well, I was lucky enough to play nine holes of golf with you. yesterday. And I will say you're getting, your swing's getting a little better. You know, I can't do it consistently. Shout out to my teacher, Hank, not Hank. I love you, Hank.

He tricked him. Yeah, Hank, Stan Utley, who's been working with me for the last couple years. I've actually played better in the last two years and I played in the last 20 years. But Hank has been, he's been a great friend and a great teacher for a long time. But, you know, I met Stan at Tom Lehman's golf tournament about a couple years ago. And, you know, Stan's might be the nicest guy in the world. I'm right here. Yeah, okay. Yeah, coat and nice.

That's an oxymoron. No, but, you know, Stan's been great to work with. What's he doing different? Like, you went through the Haney Project, you did all that. What's Stan doing different with you? Well, he's trying to get all these demons in my brain. You know, because, you know, people forget I used to actually be a good player. And then I started, I take it all went down.

when I got traded to Phoenix. So I only played golf during the summer, and I broke 80, and I was going to shoot 79 to 85 every time I played. You know, I was a good player, and then I got traded to Phoenix, and then everybody can play here. And I'm like, Mike's golf game ain't,

I can't play and play well out here shooting those numbers. I got to get better. So I just started taking, less from every Tom Dick and Harry in the world. And my brain got so many voices in it. I have no idea what to think when I'm over the ball. I don't know if it's Butch Harmon. I used to put when I remember when men and Tiger played together a lot,

I play with Take Lesman and Butch Harmon. Then I met Hank. You know, I met Robert Baker. Every time I play with a pro, he says something to me. I get his advice. and then Stan just to do let's just try to simplify all those demon voices in your head. So that's the main thing that Stan did. He's the Charles.

You can't think about 10 different things, which is like how I started going crazy with my golf game in the beginning. Well, it's funny though. We played yesterday and like you don't hitch at all with the irons. You don't have the hitch at all. It's just with the driver. And I tried to ask you yesterday. I go, what are you thinking about over the driver?

And you go, I've got no idea. You know, because it's, it's, it's, self-subconscious in my brain. I think I'm just trying to hit the, instead of swinging the club with the driver, I just try to hit the ball and try to swing the club. You know, guys like yourself who have been pros for a long time, just swing the club and let the ball get in the way. And I can do that with my wedges and things like that.

But for some reason, you know, you just want to hit the driver hard and far. For sure. Which is why I'm a moron on a golf course most of the time. So talk to us about the Haney Project. So do you think that was probably the hardest you've ever worked in your life at anything? Because that looked like that was full on boot camp for you. Well, other than basketball, it's the hardest thing I've ever did. I mean, and Hank is, I tell people this,

Hank is one of the hardest working people that I've ever met. I remember the first time I started working with Hank, it was at Tiger's Wedding. And he said, you want to come hit some balls with me? And the last day in Tiger says to me, Hank likes to work. And I'm like, I'm used to working. I mean, so I meet Hank early in the morning. And about two, we meet like eight o'clock in the morning. And by two o'clock in the afternoon, I'm like, exhausted.

I've been hitting ball from eight and did I get back? And Tiger says, I told you. I said, this dude, crazy, man. But he wants to, he's a big, obviously, repetition guy. But that's the hardest. It was fine, though, because I wanted to get better at golf. You know, like, I want to, I realize now, if I could just shoot high 70s, 80s, that would be fine. Because, you know, you're out there with three of your friends.

You're drinking most of the time. You're smoking cigars. You know, I think a lot of things, like, when you're an old, old job, there's not a lot you can do. Like, I would never be stupid enough to go try to play basketball. But golf is something you can do as you all get older. Like I say, you're with your friends who are old has-beens too. And we're all old has-beens.

And we talk so much trash. That's the thing you missed the most about playing is the interaction in the locker room on the bus and the plane. at least with golf, you can at least ride somebody unmercifully. And that's the best thing about it. Are you still playing with like a bunch of, like, who's your group right now?

Are you going out with like old dudes that playing the league, guys like that or just regular guys? Roy Green, a great receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. I played with him a lot. Chuck Robinson, oh, NBA player. Eddie Johnson, who does a fantastic job on the Sun's broadcast. self-journer, great linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. And actually, I got a text.

I called Larry Fitzgerald, who's the greatest athlete in Arizona sports history. And I'm going to try to get together and play with him this week. He can really play. He goes. We talk about him all the time because he's up there. And like, man, you talk about working at it. Like he loves it. You know, but it's, man, it's, I sent him a text last year.

Only he would have a hole in one plan with President, Obama. That's how I agree. I mean, everything he touches turns out good. I'm like, who in the hell has a hole in one with the president? He's the best. I mean, can you, I don't think there's anybody in the world that I, and I'm a big sports fan. I don't think there's anybody in the world.

I'd rather have a hole in one with other than a president. That's got to be like the coolest thing ever. You got any hole in ones? No, no, I have not. You got any? I got a few. I got eight. See, that's just an asshole you are.

Drew how about you got? I got five. So together we got 13, man. You should call it the two assholes, brag about having a whole one. You asked the question. We don't got any NBA MVP. I thought y'all was going to say like one or two.

Y'all didn't know y'all was going to just throw it in there. I face like that America. One NBA MVP equals 13 home of ones, at least. At least. There's more people with whole ones. That's amazing, though. That's amazing. I mean, because.

You know what's so funny? When I first started playing with pro golfers, I used to laugh at these guys. They'd be arguing with their cadet. It's 125. Yeah, like you can actually hit it at 125 yards. Like, dude, try to hit it between 120 and 130. That's good enough.

And they'd be like, no, we're serious. We can do it. And now my appreciation when I watched golf, I'm going to talk about 30 years ago. Oh, longer than that. Because I started in like 80, 80, 80, I'm my 86, 87, somewhere there I started playing golf.

And I was addicted to it right away. But I'd just be playing with these pros and numbers. I'm watching like, yeah, they're arguing over like five yards. These guys must be really good. If they can like, like, the ball can go a certain. I mean, it's amazing. I love it. I love being out there.

I love walking. You know, it's weird playing golf in Arizona because you always have to ride. Yep. But like when I go to my summer condo, in Philly because you have to be crazy. Oh, which is another thing, man, it's hot as hell here. This is the first time I've been here.

You know, normally I'm in the playoffs. Yep. And I cannot believe how damn hot it is here. Yep. I was like, because we probably would just be finishing the first round or beginning the second round of the playoff. They started like two weeks ago. And I was like, man, it's hot here.

It is. It's been warm lately for sure. Yeah, it's been really warm. But you know what? I love going out there. I've been playing with the Arizona Cowboys. We have a game every Wednesday. Shout to my boy, Rick Tocke, the head coach.

We have about 25 guys, and we have played every Wednesday for like the last six weeks. It's awesome. We have five foursomes. Oh, God. Oh, my goodness. It's unbelievable. Out of Ganey?

No, but La Cendas. Oh, yeah, you go to Mesa. Yeah, which is really weird because, when I got traded here in 1992, we used to always play the Senders, and it was in the middle of nowhere. There was no 202 and 101. You would just have to drive on the road,

and it took forever. But it's a beautiful golf course. But, man, I played there a lot when I first got here in 1992, but it was in the middle of nowhere. Thank God for the 101 and 202. Geez. Well, Charles, we know you always like to have a little bit of gambling going on. Yeah, man.

Man, which really sucks. No, you know, no casinos. I mean, that's what's going to be interested about this whole coronavirus thing. You know, I think we got a separate factor, number one, there's not going to be any fans at sporting events. But how are they going to do the casino thing? Yeah, that's going to be weird.

That's a dilemma. It's a dilemma because I told a friend of mine, if this, if you were to put, and I'm being, like, acting like I know stuff but if you were to put this disease in a casino on cards and chips and slot machines you could actually wipe out the world because we all know somebody who has been to the casino

who's touched chips, you know, you got you're handing cash back and forth, you got chips, you got slot machines. I mean, that's what's going to be very interesting when this thing opens back up. How are we going to go to restaurants again? how we're going to go to sporting events. And like, how do you sit at casinos? Like, it's going to be, it's really going to be sad, number one, but that's going to be very interesting how you do that.

I know, and we know you like the casinos. Going to save some people some money. Tell you that. Can't die with it. Let's put your family to fight over. That's wise. That's wise words. Trust me, man.

You know they're going to fight over it. Do you have a favorite story from gambling on the golf course back in the day? Or gambling on anything? I know you used to play pretty good and you used to gamble with the boys. I remember, you know, obviously everybody's talking about Michael Jordan right now

and we were playing golf one day and we were playing for like, I think, $1,000 a hole. And I was shaking over this putt. He said, that's good. It was a good size putt. He said, hey, you might step in my line.

That putt good. I said, dude, I'm going to win. This is a thousand dollar putt. He said, Pick it up, you're good. And he said, I need, because I don't want you standing in my line. And I want to stand.

I was like, oh, how much that put for? He's just 100,000. I said, what? I said, what? He's 100,000. I was like, man, that was, I was like, hey, my little thousand don't matter here. Right.

He's nuts. Oh, he was, you know what? He loves it. And I thought, one thing about that dance thing is, I thought, listen, man, everybody likes to gamble, especially if they have money. And I thought it was like, people making a big deal out of his gownling.

I told him about my gowns. I'm on gamble. I don't care what the hell any of y'all say. I never been to a casino by myself. You know, I like to drink too. I've never been to a bar and I was the only one there. So other people like to gamble and drink too. So it is what it is, brother.

And they're making a huge deal out of that, like on the last dance. Like he's getting crucified for like, oh, I went out and played for 50 grand with, you know, whoever. I lost 50 grand. Like that's an hour, maybe less, you know what I mean? Like, how is that a big deal? Guys go out and play golf and gamble. A guy's making $50 million a year, and he's playing for $10,000, $30,000.

Like, that technically is a lot of money, but not somebody who's got $200 million. Yeah. I mean, so that's like, it was crazy. And like I said, I got number of respect for this dude. You can do what he wants to with his money. Well, speaking of another good friend of years, I want to get your first impression because you talked about,

you met Hank Haney at Tiger Woods's wedding. That's the first time you all got linked up. What was the first time you met Tiger Woods and what was your first impression of him when you met him? I used to have a golf tournament for Auburn at Grand Cypress Resort. In Florida. In Florida.

And that's my first, one of my first tournaments. And we had a big party at Planet Hollywood. And somebody calls somebody, says, hey, Tiger Woods lives up the street. He wants to come to the party. And I'm like, it's not a stupid question? Of course he can come to the party. I think this is like when he first went pro. And obviously, it was crazy when he shows up and everybody's like,

what's going crazy. And he was awesome. And then my tournament was the next day. And so he comes, he socializes, and we all have a great time, and we're sitting around. And after he says, how long are you guys going to be in town? And I'm with my friend Quinn Buckner. And we're supposed to play golf. That was a Sunday night.

We're going to play golf Monday. Then going to leave, leave. And we're like, oh, we got, well, and we're like, he said, what do you, what you got in mind? He says, if you guys hang around, we can play golf. Like, oh, hell yeah, we're going to stay here and play golf with you. And me and Quinn end up staying down in Florida, a couple like, dude, we got nothing to do. It's the middle of the summer. And we played golf with Tiger that Tuesday and Wednesday, and then we left.

And that was the first time that I had ever met him. Actually, talked to him. I actually, when I was here in Phoenix, I went and followed him on the golf course when he was in college. I didn't know him and didn't speak to him, but I heard he was in town and me and the boys just following him for some holes. And then I think it was probably a couple, a year later, somewhere in that time

when he came to my party at Planet Hollywood. Yeah, you throw some nice parties. Oh, yeah. I enjoyed it. So we had a, remember when Planet Hollywood was the bomb. I remember we had a great party here in Phoenix. And two of the most traumatizing events in my life happened

And so we played a game and they had this big star studded party at Planet Hollywood. It was right down there on 24th Street right across from the Ritz at the time. I mean, it was awesome. They were having like these big Hollywood productions like when they were, all the stars came out. So we go there out there again. And I'm sitting, I got my back and the guy says, hey, Mr. Stallone want to say hello to you.

I'm like, oh my goodness, I can't. Oh, of course I was. I want to meet Rocky. Of course I want to meet Rocky. That's cool. And I hear me coming and said, Mr. Barkley. And I turned like, oh, I'm going to meet Rocky. I turn around.

And I look and this dude's like two-two. Two-two. Two-two. Hey, I said, you Rocky? And I'm like, damn, Rocky, you look so much bigger. I was telling to myself in my head. And I was like, and he was awesome. A lot of salon was awesome.

And I was like, yeah, man. And after he was gone, he was awesome. And then he turned, I was like, gosh, that dude is tiny. So then about an hour later, the guy says, hey, Mr. Schwarzenegger want to say hello to you. And I'm like, oh, hell yeah, I want to meet the Terminator? This going to be cool. And I hear he comes up, he says, Mr. Barclay.

I'm like, uh-oh, Terminator behind me. And I turn around and this dude like two feet two. I said, hey, hey, what the hell going on in Hollywood? Hey, I was like, I was like, I tell people that story sometimes. I'm like, I turn around, I see Stallone and Swarstnaker. I'm thinking like, I'm going to meet big old Rocky and big old Terminator. And both of them do, one of them's like five, six, and one's like five, nine. I'm like, damn.

There's nothing wrong with that, Charles. I know, but you, but you, if you got, I'm saying, if you're out there killing people and beating up on people, you want to see a big old tough guy. You are a big fan. Like, it cracks me up. I remember last year I was having dinner in Memphis for Jordan Spee's birthday, and you called me, and I was sitting next to Roy McElroy. And you asked if you could talk to him.

And I put you on the phone with him. And you were like a little kid. You were so excited to get to talk to this guy. Yeah. You know, it's really funny. He bought that up to me last week. Did he? So I've been on this conference call every Friday with all these big wig.

They call it Conversations and Cigars. And we just talk about business and how to be successful. And they have a guest every week. So a couple weeks ago, it was Rory. And this week, it was actually Ian Poulter. And it was awesome. And I'm a big fan of both of those guys. And I've never met Rory.

But he said, yeah, remember the last time we talked that was at Colts? It was Joyne Spee's birthday. You called Colt. I said, yeah, I was surprised y'all at Colt come to the party. But, you know, I'm a sports junkie. And to meet somebody who's great like that. I mean, the first time I met Phil Millison.

You know, I'm a big fan. And so we're playing the sons, and I meet Amon, who's the sweetest lady ever. And she was so awesome. She, I tell people, she's one of the nicest women I ever met, ladies, women, how you want to pronounce it? And we're out talking one day, and she's like, oh, yeah, my boyfriend.

I said, okay, Bob, she says, she says, hey, Phil. And like, she called him or something. I said, what's his last name? She says, he plays golf. I said, what was his last name? She said, Mickelson. I said, wait, your boyfriend, Phil Mickelson?

Oh, hell no, Amy. I got to play with that dude. Phil's still in college at the time. But, you know, I keep up with college sports too. And obviously, being in Arizona, they were giving him a lot of love that he deserved. I'm like, Amy, you know, I like you. But I need to play golf with Phil Mickelson. And he was awesome.

and he's crazy. I've never seen a guy try more trick shots than that dude. He's nuts. He goes down swinging. Yeah, but he always drives me crazy. So, you know, he likes to fly. And he's like, yo man, you should get on the plane with me. Hey, hell no.

I'm a firm believer that you can only be good at one thing in life. I think golf is your thing. Oh, no, man, I'm good. No, no, no. I'm not getting on your plane with you, man. I said, hell no. I said, we can go play golf anytime you want to. I am not, because, you know, I don't want to be,

no, I'm not getting on a plane with you. We still joke about that. I'm never getting on a plane with that dude he's the pilot. I don't blame you. I don't know it neither. I've heard some stories, by the way, about his flying deal and a couple of emergency landing. So, smart man.

Just because you're good with the wedge, don't mean I want you to find me around the world. That's like my financial advisor. He flies. and I'm like, he always had inviting me. Dude, I'm not getting on no plane with you. I'm like, first of all, if you're a good pilot, how I know my money's safe?

You spend it too much. I'm like, you should spend all your time working and not be good at anything other than handling my money. I don't want my financial advisor to be a good pilot because that means he's spending, number one, he wasted money on an airplane, but also he spent way too much time. I think to be a pilot's on something you've got to put a lot,

of time and effort into. Oh, for sure. Yes. Good point. We should talk a little bit about your basketball since you are one of the greatest. Yeah, we get to that. Yeah. All time to play. But if I was going to ask you, what's the thing you're the most proud of in your basketball career? Um, great question. I think that the longevity that played for, I should, I should say 15 years. I shouldn't count, even though I played 16, I shouldn't count that last year because I sucked. Actually, I sucked my last two years. Man, I got the most out of my body that I could. Because, you know, when you're 6'5 and you're playing against big dudes every night,

you've got to really use your body all the time. Probably one of the reason I had so many major injuries and got new hips and things now and probably need another shoulder, but I'm not going to do that, because I just rehab. It keeps me away from the golf course. You know, but as far as achievements, there's nothing better than the Olympics.

Nothing better. And I would, to your listeners, I would tell these guys, listen, go to the Olympics one time in your life. You know, TV only going to show the stars and certain events. But when you go in person and see all the other stuff that's going on, all other events, and you see people, and it makes my heart feel good.

It's so many people who like got no chance of winning. But getting to the Olympics to them is like the Holy Grail. Like they have built their whole life around like I made it to, And like when you meet these people in the village or on the street, because it's pretty confined most of the time. Like, it's like, dude, like, and they got no chance of meddling

or even getting to the finals, but they have so much pride that they made it to the Olympics. It's pretty cool. That's awesome. So to be in the Olympics twice in representative country, it's pretty amazing for you. me. When you were on those dream

teams, like, you guys were winning by, like, an average margin of victory, like 40 points, 35 points, whatever it was. Was there ever, it's, was that like, basically, you guys were so much better than everyone else in the world? Was that just like a vacation? You're like, hey, we're going to show up and we're going to embarrass another country tonight, or was there ever a point

in either of those two Olympics that you played on where you're like, yo, we got to really show up tonight and we got to lock in because this team could actually beat us. Well, the games, you know, people looked at the final score, but the games, were not, a couple of them were really bad blowouts, but most of them games were like competitive a little bit.

Because if you actually go back and look, the only advantage we had was depth. Okay, so Spain, Croatia, Yugoslavia Croatia. I mean, they all had at least four or five NBA players. But then when they went to their bench, they bought Manimo and Jack. in the game.

And we bought in Carmelon, David Robinson, Chris Mullin. So if you go back and look at those games, for the first 10 minutes, the game was relatively close. But once we went to the bench, they could not have the five power to keep up with us.

But, you know, you said, it wasn't, it couldn't have been a vacation for the aspect. Like, number one, we, going in, we didn't know we were going to win every game by X amount of points. But we did know if we lost, it would be the biggest upset in the history of civilization. And Chuck Daly was so good at that saying, guys, we're not going to lose.

But hypothetically, if y'all were to lose, you y'all know we probably couldn't get back in the country. And that was the thing that kept us all. But the thing that was so awesome, because I didn't like 96. 96 sucked. because the guys were just total assholes complaining about starting complaining about playing time that's why I said I tell people 902 was amazing because I got the greatest team ever nobody complained about playing time nobody complained who was starting like Chuck had two different starting units

and they basically just played like 10 minutes and then other guys played 10 minutes and nobody ever complained we got we got together every night and had a great time. And then when I got to 96, first of all, I wasn't going to play in 96 because I said, hey, let's somebody else enjoy this. And Leonard Wilkins says, no, I need you to be a leader of the team.

We're going to have a bunch of young guys. I said, okay, I'll do it. But guys started and it was in Atlanta. Because obviously I didn't take all my family and friends to Spain. So my hometown is about two hours at Birmingham area. So it

was great for everybody to get over to come over and drive over and see us. But I didn't have a good time because guys were complaining so much. It wasn't a lot of fun for me. I enjoyed it because it was the Olympics. But man, when guys started complaining about playing time and they wanted to start, I did not like that at all. That's crazy.

Yeah, I never heard that before. I love it. That's cool. You know, during all those times and during your amazing career, could you ever imagine that one day you would be a broadcaster or an analyst on TV? Never. So the guy who, my mentor who talked to me about television, so what happened to me was, I got, in my third year, I was becoming a star. And I was learning how to be famous, you know, because Dr. Jay was moving on, Moses was moving on. When I was becoming in a star, I think that's my 30th year, the first year I made the All-Star team.

So I was then they start coming to you. At that point, I was just a stupid rookie. And then I was, you know, the next year I was just still a basically, they went to Doc, Mose and Marie's Cheek, Andrew Tony, Bobby Jones. Then they finally got to me when it came to interview. But from my third year, I became a star. And I was trying to say the right thing all the time. And then it took me about half the season to realize that no matter what you

say it doesn't matter. Have the people going to like it and have the people going to dislike it. And I was like, man, this is, this is crazy. It doesn't matter what I say. And then I said, okay, well, you're going to have to make a decision whether you're going to do it your way or try to make everybody happy. So after that, I said, hey, guys, this is what's going to have from now. I'm going to be a straight shooter.

Some of y'all going to like it and some of y'all going to kiss my ass. And I was 100, I said, I'm going to take it. I said, I'm going to tell the truth from this point on. I ain't going to worry about who I make happy, who I make unhappy. I'm going to tell my truth. Even if I'm wrong, I'm going to tell my truth. So then that's the way I live the rest of my career. I'm going to be, hey, guys, you asked me a question.

I didn't come to you and say, hey, let me say something. You guys ask me a question. I'm going to be honest. So my mentor, Dick Everson, ran NBC at the time. He said, Charles, can we get together next time? we got you all a national game. I said, of course, because he was always great.

He says, I want you to come into television when you're done playing. I'm like, wow. He's now, let me explain why. He said, you're going to be great on TV. He said, you're always going to be in trouble, but you're going to be great on TV.

I says, what do you mean? He says, yeah, he says, you know, people tell you they want the truth, but they only want the truth if it's their truth. He says, yeah, he said, everybody always, He says, one thing I like about you, you're going to tell the truth. You don't care who likes it or dislike it. He says, fans going to like it because fans get sick and tired of people lying to him on TV or telling them their favorite players great when he's not great.

And he says, I know you're going to be a straight shooter. But like, you're going to get in trouble all the time because people don't really want the truth. And I said, you know what? I started laughing. And I said, okay. And I said, okay, I'm going to really, and one of the hardest decisions I had to make. So I have made a decision to go to NBC. And a friend of mine, Michael Jackson, worked at Turner.

He says, hey, man, I hear you going to NBC. I says, yeah, I'm thinking on it, but I'm leaning that way. He's doing me a favor. Make the prop me up. come meet with the people at TNT. And I go down, we have a great meal, and we sit around smoking cigars, and I says, what is your guy's goal?

He says, he says, no, he said, what's your goal, Charles? I said, I want to be on TV, and I want to talk basketball, but I really want to talk social issues, but not all the time, because people don't turn on sporting events to talk about social issues.

He says, well, you know you're probably not going to get to do that at NBC. He says, we'll give you all the, we own CNN, we got a gazillion networks. We can put you in position to talk about anything you want to. I'm like, really? And we have like an hour to have conversation after dinner just about that. want to be able to talk about social issues. Like I say, I'm not going to do it all the time because I think you have to be selective because people don't turn on sports to hear social issues.

So then I got home around one, two in the morning. I called my age and I said, hey, I got a problem. He said, what's going on? He says, I think I'm going to sign I really want to go to TNT. He says, you want me to call Dick Ebersault. I said, no, as I tell you what, let me sleep on it. And then we'll talk about it at the morning. He said, okay.

So I slept, I didn't sleep good at all, to be honest with you. I was up like five at the morning. Like, because I knew it was like, I should go to TNT. But they're going to give me more of a platform to talk about stuff. So then I said, I called him about five, six in the morning. I said, hey, I said, get up. He says, it's like six in the morning. I says, I'm your client.

You work for me. Get your ass out of bed. And we joke about it to this day. And I said, hey man, I'm going to go to TNT. He says, what do you want to do? I says, I'll call Dick Abbasol myself. And that was, and he's been great to me even to this day. But that was a really difficult decision because the man who talked to me

and going into television has been responsible for all my success. And that's one of the things that makes you great is like you do say what you think. You don't sugarcoat it. you're not trying to be PC, at least from an outsider's perspective, from what it looks like. Like you look like you're saying what you actually believe. But has there ever been a point in your career where you've been on air, like in, you know, on T&T and said something and immediately thought like,

uh-oh. Like that one's going to be a problem. No, but I knew things have come back. So a couple examples. Obviously, you know, Michael was my best friend for a long time. And I said, Michael, I said, I love Michael like a brother. I remember the show very, very well.

So I'm sitting there and I was saying, you know, we were talking about the job he was doing. I said, Michael, I love him like a brother, but he's never going to be successful as a general man as long as he's hired only his friends. And when you're famous, the number one thing you've got to do is surround yourself with people who hold you accountable.

But when you're Michael Jordan or Charles Barkley, or any famous person. Okay, so most of the people on your payroll, they're flying around on your private jet. You're buying all the drinks. You're buying all the dinners. So nobody's ever going to tell you no. Ever.

So you have to surround yourself with people like, no, man, maybe you shouldn't do that. Maybe you've had too much to drink. Maybe you have, these are things that have to me. And guy says, my bodyguard says hey let's go i said what are we going he says you've gambled enough tonight you're losing it's not going to change or he'll say hey you've had too much to drink let's go and i'm like okay you're right you're right you're right you're right you're right you have to empower

your friends to have that type of power and so to get back to the point with michael he was only hiring friends and listen i like right when we so i lost one time and uh i'm playing for the Rockets. And Michael calls me about three, four in the morning. He's, what you doing? I said, nothing. Sitting here sucking. We lost last night.

He said, I'll pick you up in four hours. I said, what? He says, I'm coming to get you. We're going to go play some golf. The season's over. You need to get away. And in four hours, he picked me up at the private airport, right by my house on his private jet.

And I get on there and Darrell Walker's on there and he said something that never forget. He says, we can't mess this up. And so to get back to my original point, like I said it and I said it on the air, I didn't think Michael was going to react like that. I want to be honest with you. And I said he's never going to be successful as long as he just hired his kiss-ass friends and who's going to always agree with him. And next commercial break, I see his name pop up.

And he is MF and me up and down, up and down, up and down. And that's the last time we spoke. So that's you a question. Then the one time I got to tell you this Kobe Bryant story. Remember the game where he wouldn't shoot? Yeah, I do remember that game. I was the first person to call him out after that game. I said, this dude is trying to prove a point.

He's just wrong. So we get off the air. Kobe, apparently my words have gotten back to Kobe. He texts me for the next three hours and we go back and forth for three hours. He won't pick up the phone. He keeps sending me text.

And he's going crazy for three hours. And we laughed about it years later. But for three hours, he's MFed me, you, you, S-O-B. I'm like, yo,

man, pick up the phone. I can't text what I'm trying to, and I said, I just didn't like what you did. Nothing. You were 100% wrong,

blah, blah, blah. But those are probably the only two times where I had serious, not even serious ramifications. Is that hard for you, like as a former,

like your top 50 greatest players of all time? But when you do criticize somebody who is a friend of your, like you mentioned you Michael were like best friends. You and Kobe have a great relationship. You say something that's like critical of those guys. Is that a hard thing to do? Yes. And Colts going to have to learn that

now that he's doing television. Yeah. Like some of those guys are got to be his friend and he's going to say, man, what a crappy shot by Roria Jordan. And like, you hope their friendship is strong enough like, dude, you just hit a crappy shot. Like, but I can't. I can't get on TV and say, this organization sucks over here. And then when somebody says, well, what about your brother Michael? Well, he's not doing a good job either.

I can't say, oh, he's doing a good job. Yeah, he's doing a good job. Yeah, he lose all your credibility. And first of all, Colt, he understands and I understand, like, it's not that I wake up in the morning. I cannot wait to get on TV and crush somebody today. It doesn't work like that.

the game plays itself out. Like, I wish it's a great game and everybody played well, but if a guy plays awful or does something stupid, not just on the court, but in life, part of my job is to go on TV or radio and talk about it. I don't get to talk just, because this is one thing that drives me crazy. I said, I don't get to luxury,

I don't get to only talk about the good stuff. It doesn't work like that. Like I wish it could be like all roses and sunshine all the time. But it doesn't work like you have to talk about the bad stuff too. And that's probably the worst thing about the job because I know somebody's wife, girlfriend, kids, they're probably watching the game. And it sucks, but you got to do your job. I mean, because the number one thing, if you lose your credit bill like, oh, this guy won't

say anything bad about certain. guys. So that's one thing I do actually hate about the media. They have a double standing about guys they like and guys they dislike. That's what bothers me because this is a serious position of power to be on TV or radio

because most of these people are never going to meet these guys. So they're going to say well these guys on the podcast other day say this about Justin Thomas or Jordan Spieth or Ian Poulter.

So it must be true. So that's why I take what I say very serious. And like when I have to criticize somebody, I better be 100% factual. At least I can say, hey man, this is the facts. This is what I said. Do you have a problem? Is it true what I said?

I know it might have hurt your feelings and your little wife or girlfriend heard it and she's pissed. But it's just factual. And then most of the time, like I say, I probably had 10 to 15 calls from players or agents in my 19 years on television. Well, I had to say, hey, this is what I said. This is why I said it. And most of the time it's been amicable when it was over. That's not, I mean, 10 to 15.

That seems pretty good. 19 years. Yeah. Because I, even when I criticize the guy, I try to make. make it funny. Because I know his family's watching. Like, I'm not going to get on TV and say a guy sucks. I mean, no players of the NBA suck.

But obviously some guys aren't as good as others. You like going at that Draymond Green a little bit. I like Draymond. Yeah, I like that. He's a funny dude. I enjoy it. I told you. He gets, you know, I told you, he's like the guy in the boy band who gets hit by

dry by panties going by. And he think the girls are throwing the panties at him. He don't realize he's standing next to Justin Timberlake. Hey, you're not the guy. You're just in the boy band. Yeah, you got hit by some panis. They were, you were standing next to this dude, the good-looking dude. Like, Harry Stiles.

Yeah, so, hey, listen, he's a good guy. He's a really good dude, and he's a good player. But I just get annoyed when role players start thinking, like, I'm like, yo man, you see how you play without Steph and Clay and Kevin Durant? you're averaging eight five and four those are like yeah okay yeah that's the player you are really that's that's perfect because i want to ask you this like when you do make a critique of a player and you mentioned jremont green perfect example and he comes back with like yo chuck can't say anything you i never want no rings i got rings like you don't get to speak on that how annoying is

that or how do you even respond i don't even get mad about the ring thing uh because i mean part of being a star and me and tiger had this conversation one time about bad press and I told him this and I tell all the guys, even the young guys I mentor today I say it ain't right it ain't wrong

that's just how it is that's just how it is because I'm not I'm very careful how I's phrase this nobody when you are star there's a double standard That's just the way it is. Like nobody ever walks up to

Said Sibbalos. Said you didn't win the championship. Nobody ever walks up to Charles Oakley. They says, Patrick Ewing didn't win the championship. Charles Barkley didn't win the championship. Patrick Ewing didn't win the championship. Carmelon didn't win the championship.

They never go like, hey, Byron Russell, you didn't win the championship. And I says, okay, that's just the way it is. It's a double standard. And that goes with being man plain and simple. Absolutely. You were the man, that is for sure.

But I want to ask you this, because you are a big sports junk. You watch everything. And you're very critical of sports broadcasters, I'd say. Who's your favorite to listen to? How am I critical to sports? Well, no, you're very, not critical. I wouldn't say critical. You have an opinion about them.

You think certain guys are good and certain guys aren't. Oh, other than Skip Bayliss, who's a punk ass and I hate it. There we go. There we go. That's always there. Yes. Other than him. That's critical.

Yeah, yeah. Okay, but who do you enjoy listening to? Well, I think David Farity is great. And two guys who just got let go. I love McCart and Costas. And obviously, I'm going to love Byers because I live here in the desert. But I thought they were great. It's going to be interesting to see how the new guys work

because he's so used to see him McCart and Costas. And I thought they were a perfect all-and-water common. nation. Because Gary is hilarious and Peter is a great teacher. And it kind of like, it's kind of like I look at our show. People say, why are your show so good? I says, we have found the perfect mix of, if you want to talk serious basketball, we can be serious.

But if you just want to last and have shits and giggles, we can do that also. And that's the hardest thing on television because I don't think people understand. We're on from 8 to 2 in the morning. Nobody wants to talk seriously about basketball for six hours. Not me who loves basketball. And to get you guys to watch, we have to find the perfect mix of, okay, if the game, first of all, we hope the game is good. But we can't just sit there and X and owe you to death.

So the part I'm using about Peter and Gary, if you want to break down a swing, Peter is awesome. But if you want to laugh, Gary is awesome. And those guys are fantastic. John McEnroe is. I love listening to him

and his brother Patrick. They're great together. Tony Romo is doing a fantastic job and hopefully, ooh, man. He got paid for you too. Yeah, paid. Man, it's $18 million a year. That's pretty good.

That's good work if you can get it. No kidding. It's going to be about a million. bucks a game when he does playoffs. Oh my goodness. That ain't a bad gig if you could get it. But y'all show over at TNT, the NBA on TNT. I mean, y'all look like you honestly are just having a blast doing it.

I mean, do you still look forward every day to going to work or every Thursday, I guess? First of all, it should be a blast. Yes. Because we only sit around talking about stupid basketball. I tell people, they're like, you look like you having fun. I'm like, dude, we're talking about basketball. We're not saving the world. I say, listen, we're not cops.

We're not firemen. were not teachers, we're not in the service. Those are like real jobs. And again, now you know, you've got to throw the nurses and everybody else in there

on the front line of virus. But like, we get paid money to watch basketball. We should be in a good mood. I mean, I told them, I said, it's going to suck when I die

because I can get used to getting paid to watch basketball. I'm like, I want them to roll me out there in the wheelchair here like uh because like i say i'm oh wait y'all are gonna pay me to watch basketball oh y'all i can't wait to go no so no i it's it's it's a lot of fun but man it's just we get paid i got first of all i would watch anyway yeah to get paid to do it is kind of like stealing to be

honest with you that's awesome you mentioned the oil and vinegar with mccord and cossus right like that's the perfect combination i feel like when i watch you guys on t-n-t like you got the same thing like you and Shaq occasionally like go at each other right like you're at each other's throats and Kenny and Ernie just sit back like yo we got to let this thing happen what happens I always wonder because I watch you guys go at each other's throats what happens that commercial break when that ends like what's the dynamic the Kenny and Ernie look at you like hey dude y'all got to chill out or they're like hey everything's good that was perfect well it's weird talking to Shaq about basketball what I mean with that is he doesn't understand

like there's a strategy because he's always been the biggest, best player. Like, like, Kenny was a good NBA player and I had a really good career. But like,

I have to have a strategy every game. Like when I go against Kevin McKell, Carl Malone, Tim Duncan, Larry Bird, guys, I was like,

okay, this is what was just his strength, this is weaknesses. And Kenny had to say, like if I'm playing against Russell or Steph, those are like two different animals. And we'll be trying to explain the shack. Like, yeah, man, you,

and he's looking at us like, that's no strategy. Just get a ball to your best player, let him dominate. And we figured out, like, easily, he's never had to think his way. And I don't mean dumb, like not thinking dumb. Like, he's always been the biggest,

strongest, baddest man on the block. And he never had to adjust to plan against. He's like, no, y'all going to have to adjust to me. And I said, and other than Wilk Chamberlain, I don't think there's probably been any other basketball player who he was just bigger, stronger than everybody else, and he was unstoppable. So he gets mad when we try to explain stuff to him.

And it's hilarious because he's not hearing it. He's like, no, there's no strategy out here. Just give me the ball and let me dominate. I'm like, dude, that doesn't work for anybody but you and Will Chamberl. So, but so, but once we go to commercial break, we just start laughing because me and Kenan, like, you know, man, we're trying to explain to you. There is a strategy out here. But he's not hearing it.

Yeah, because it gets heated sometimes. It's fun to watch, but I'm like always wondering like, you know, what happens when they go to break? Are those two like still going out? Oh, no, no. Well, when we go to break, we're, we're, fine. But like he gets heated and I love it. Like you guys know if you got a friend and you do something that annoys him, you don't stop doing it. You just really rile him up even more. So when I get

him going and Kenny slapping me on the legs, I'll stop it, man, stop it. And I'm like going crazy because I love it. I do. When I get under his skin, I'm going to I'm going to throw gasoline on the fire. I'm not going to let it go. I love it. That's awesome. I love that. And it's the best of watching.

That's why the show is so good, because you never know when it's going to happen. It's like, oh, here they go. Here they go. And you got to watch it. Well, Drew, should we get into emergency nine? Let's get into it. It feels like that time.

Charles, we do this with every guest. We have nine fun questions. Get to know a little bit more about you. And then that's the end of our show. You ready? You think you're okay with that? Emergency nine? Emergency nine.

Okay. Okay. First one, we ask every guest, If there's a movie being played about the life of Charles Barkley, who plays it? Hmm. Um, wow, that's a great question. James Earl Jones. Oh, nice.

That's who you're going to say? Literally the one I wrote down. Oh, really? Yeah, I'll direct it. Tell Spike the screw off, bro. First of all, you don't have a pen and paper, so you wrote it down? It's on right here. Okay, I'm just messing with you.

Yeah, yeah. I typed it. We've had some interesting answers from my guess. James Earl, that's a good one. Gary Woodland said Denzel. play him. I don't think he understands how this works. And by the way, John Daly said Matt Damon for his first answer. What do you think about that? That's another good way.

How about that? We said, uh, that don't seem right. There's a better chance of me playing John Daly than Matt Damon. That's awesome. All right, number two. All right, Charles, number two. We know you've talked about getting into politics in the past, but if Charles Barkley ran for president, who do you want as your VP? Um, anybody. Anybody. Michelle Obama. All right. I take. as my running mate. Perfect. Any reason why?

Actually, or the governor of New York, Cuomo right now, is on fire. He's all over. He's all on. He's on fire right now. So I like Cuomo a lot. Are you done with politics? Are you removing that? Like, you're not doing it?

No, because I figured out one thing that most people are starting to figure out now, that both of these parties are full of shit. Not, it's not, I've been a Democrat in my entire life. And other than me, being able to dribble a basketball, they haven't done anything for me. and the Republicans, they're going to do what they do. They're going to take care of people who got money. So both of these parties are full of crap. I wish more people would realize that.

I think you'd run on that right now and probably win. You say that right there and you get the majority. All right, number three, who's a shittier tipper, Tiger or MJ? Oh, that'll be both. That'll be both. That'll be both. They're both cheap. They're both cheap.

And, you know, the thing is, I don't think they understand that when people give you stuff free, you should probably should tip them more than the meal cost. Like, when I've been in restaurants and they have given me a bunch of free stuff, number one, you always say thank you. But also you're like, okay, here's 100 for the staff. Just because they give you that respect and give you some free, that does not mean it's free.

Like I'd say, no, you got to tip, actually, you can't leave $5 or $10 or $20. If somebody give you and your boys some drinks and food, you just say, okay, he said, hey, Mr. Barkley, we want to do this? Oh, that's really nice. Guys, we're going to put $100 minimum there for the staff. I'll never forget we were in Vegas one time together. And me and some friends come over to Mandalay to meet you, and I order some drinks from your waitress while you're playing blackjack.

Three drinks. She comes over. I give her a hundred. You go, what the hell is she going to do with that? threw it off the table and left her a lot more. I'm like, I thought I was being, I didn't want to be the cheap guy. I thought I was, I didn't want to look cheap. I thought I was being overly generous.

But you are very generous, I will say. You take care of everybody. Well, you know, you should tip. You should tip if you can do it. Everybody can't do it. But, you know, most places, that's how they make their money. I mean, they don't make any money from the establishment. They make all their money on tips.

And I always say this. A hundred, now, this is going to sound like an asshole move, but it's true. Perfect. No, no, it's true, though. Like, $100 don't mean nothing to me,

but it might mean a lot to them. And I can say, I never poo-poo on money, but that's the best way, when I'm thinking about tipping people, I always said to myself, it don't mean that to you, but it's probably going to mean a lot to them.

That's awesome. You could run on that too. There's another one. You got the vote right there. All right. Number four, more likely to win an Oscar for Best Actor, Charles Barkley in Space Jam or Charles Barkley in Capital One commercials. It's tough, dude.

I feel like you've grown. Well, let me just say this here. It's an honor and a privilege to work with Sam Jackson. He is the most giving guy. I've ever been around. Like, you know, like, when I'm struggling, you know, like, they say,

we'll try to say it, uh, enthusiastically or sullen. Like, they throw a bunch of words when you're on the set. And Sam always says, Chuck, try it like this. Like, not the point where he's like,

you don't know what you're doing, try it. Like, every now and then, here's a Chuck, try it like this. I mean, the guy is so awesome to work with. That's cool. Yeah, he's so awesome to work with. So I got a much, oh, you know, I got to tell you something that really, really sucks.

There you go. Perfect. I'm so pissed that they, so they canceled the Capital One spot. We had already filmed the spots for March Madness. And it's probably the most fun I've ever had a film in a spot. We had like five or six. But my favorite spot that the world probably never going to see, it's several, at least two or three commercials.

So they bring in, the final four is in Atlanta this year. They bring in Gladys Knight. Wow. And me, Sam, and Spike, we are bedazzled and we're the Pips. We rehearse. How about this?

We rehearsed for a week. Two or three hours a day dancing. They bring in a choreographer and everything. Please tell me you have footage of this. I don't have, they still, So we rehearse and we're the Pips. So the first part of the commercial and the Chuck, why are we taking the train

and I walk on, this is the first part of the commercial. I says, tell him Gladys. And she starts singing the midnight train to Georgia. And that's how the commercial starts. That's so cool. Yeah, like I do this big reveal when we walk. And Chuck, why are we taking a train?

Why can't we take a plane? and I go, tell him, Gladys. And we're on that midnight train to Georgia. It is so awesome. And then, like I say, the rest of the spot is us as the Pips. And like I say, they bought in these choreographers and everything. We rehearsed. It was going to be hilarious.

And now the world ain't going to get to see it. That's got to come. I mean, they can't just squash that and put it away. That's got to come out when the world gets back. I would hope that they do it. but like I say, it only worked on the train to Georgia. That's the only thing. Like, I think they would show it,

but because we're not going to Georgia for the foul of four, and, man, I was pissed. Was that your best work ever as an actor? It was the only time I've ever had to rehearse dancing. Okay, that makes it worth it. Yeah, yeah. That makes it the best. And let me tell you something.

When we started rehearsing, we all had three left feet. I mean, and I'm going to say this, he might get mad, he's not going to get mad. Spike is the worst dancer. God, that's what's the worst? Spike is the worst dancer. But it was so much fun.

I mean, we laughed so much during rehearsal. That's hilarious. I mean, we laugh a lot on a commercial when guys screw up their lines and everything. But to watch each other, the Sandmaster was decent because I think he's done some, he did some Broadway shows, in his career.

Really? Oh, yeah. Oh, man. Yeah. But me and Spike were the two worst dancers, but I can say I'm better than Spike. Doesn't Spike direct him? Yeah. Yeah, okay.

That's a problem. He shouldn't have directed it into some dancing when he's the worst dancer. You would think. That's great. That's an awesome story. All right. Number five. We know you've had some beef with Charles Oakley in the past.

Only because he hates me. I know. Okay. And the thing is really funny about it. The guy, hey, like, no, no, the thing is really funny. like every three years like Clark where he'll go on some radio show and just talk about me like a dog

and and I and I says dude I got nothing bad to say about Oakley first of all we've been retired for 20 years I don't know what like I've been front of the Lambere now and when he come to work with us sometime and I've bumped into him but for some reason he hates me I have no idea why

zero idea why but every probably about three years he'll go on something that like I don't even know why they have him on the radio to be honest with you like he only comes on to bash me like every three years and I just start laughing every time I'm like

dude we're old man now let it go first of all I still to this day I'm not lying I have no idea what I did to him but I just laugh about it well my question was going to be because your bodyguard James is a pretty big man and Charles Oakley's not small one. Who wins in a fight between James and Charles Oakley? Well, my bodyguard is a, I've been a cop for 30 years. Shout out to James, Haywood, Houston, Texas. His wife, Denise just retired. She was a

cop for 30 years also. But he's a black belt. And I like his chances against anybody. Yeah. Yeah. You fought him as a big man. Yeah. You fought Charles in a pre-season game, if I remember correctly, which is that level of competition doesn't exist. Yeah, I'm trying to figure out, I hope he's not still mad about a fight that had been a preseason game 30 years ago. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.

It's over. Sounds like he is. All right. Next question. If you had to be quarantined in a hotel room with one member of either dream team that you were on, who would be the least, the person you would like to be quarantined with the least? Yeah. The worst dude to be quarantined with.

Probably Michael. Oh, how come? Because he would talk about them beating us in the finals every day. Like if you, see that, if you lose to him, you never going to hear the end of it. So he would remind me every single day that they beat us in 92 for the championship. Makes sense? Yeah. That's partly Jerry Krause's fault, I feel like for saying I like Dan Marley and he's like,

I'm going to obliterate this human being. No, I was, you know, I actually take a. I take a lot of responsibility. I love Dan, by the way. Oh, I love Sponger. I love Dan. It's great, dear. Yes.

You know, I take a lot of responsibility because I think it was my fault we did. Because if you go back and look, the only game we played bad was game one. And I take responsibility for not having us ready to go in game one. And what was really interesting about that is when I watched that last dance thing, Michael said the exact same thing. Remember, they lost game one against the Lake. He said the lights were too bright for us. And but they won every game after that.

But I take, because I actually think we lost the series in game one because you got to win game one. But I take responsibility for not having my team ready to play because the lights were too bright and that's on me in game one. And Jerry Krauss for standing like Dan Marley. So Michael was like, oh, I'll score 50 on this dude.

Well, what was one thing is the answer. about this last-dance thing is how Jerry Rinesdorf has thrown Jerry Krauss under the bus and backed over him like 10 times. Like yeah, yeah, Jerry Krauss broke up the bulls. Come on, man. Rinesdorf didn't want to pay anybody. You're the owner. You can get rid of Jerry Kraus. Yeah, I know. I'm like, because it was really funny, you know, they made a big deal out how much money Michael, Scotty made those years. And the truth of the matter is, other than the two years, the Michael made $30 million, he was making a little bit more than Scottie. And then Michael made $30 million those last two years.

But if you go back and look at the big picture, Scotty actually made more money in his NBA career than Michael did. But the bottom line, Randolph didn't want to pay those guys. There was time to pay Scottie. He got rid of Horace Grant. People forgot that. He didn't want to pay Horace Grant. He got Dennis on the cheap. and then he complained

to two years he paid Michael $30 million and then he broke up the team because it was probably tying it was time to pay Scottie but I love the way he just threw Jerry Crowe like Jerry Krause broke up the Bulls, give me a break. All right, number seven.

I don't know if a lot of people know but you're actually a very clean, kind of a clean freak. Yes. Very OCD-ish, I would say. No, y'all are just sloppy pigs. No, don't say y'all. I mean the world.

I am a neat freak. Well, I talked to your buddy Roy Green last night. Oh, Lord. And he told me he just used to love coming to your house and just moving things around, messing with things. Yeah. And it would drive you crazy. But I want to know what's the thing you're the most OCD about?

I don't think there's, I mean, I just like clean, clean. I mean, I laugh when we go to dinner. Like, you clean up the table. You can't have stuff sitting around, man. Like, I think it's important to be clean. I really do. And I think it's important to take care of your stuff. You know, growing up poor, my mom wasn't made.

So I was the oldest brother. So my mom would say, Charles, if this house is not clean when I get home, I'm going to beat you to death. And she says, yeah, no, yeah, because she said, and now it's just a habit 50 years later. Because her thing was, I'm not going to go and go. clean these people houses then come home and clean. So I'm the oldest brother.

So I'm cleaning the whole day before she comes back home. Because my grandmother who lived with us also, she worked in a meat factory. So I'm babysitting two brats, my brothers. And I am cleaning so my mom don't have to clean when she gets home. The only thing I wouldn't do is dishes. But the rest of the house was immaculate. Roy told me he used to just love messing with.

Oh, he's crazy, man. I'm like, yo man, that thing was not there. I'm like, it was been one of my great friends for a long time. And there's no, there's nobody better to play golf with ever. I love it. I'm shocked by your OCD that I've just been informed about. I wouldn't, I wouldn't have peg you for that guy, but I like it. I respect it.

Next question. Your nickname, Round Mount or rebound. A, love it or hate it, B, who gave it to you? Love it. probably so when I was in college I had a list they had a list of probably 10 nicknames

they were trying to the wide load from Leeds The wide load from Leeds That's not catchy I know that's a terrible one The Crisco Kid Yep saw that one That's better

I can't even remember all of them That's how long ago But I always remember the wide load from Leeds My hometown Leeds Alabama the Crisco Kid, bread truck. Not bad. But

round mound and rebound stuck. And I've probably been with it the longest and I got no problem with it. Who coined it though? Do you know who? Who was the first guy to call you that? There was a guy named Jim Fife who was the radio voice of Auburn

and I think he found, is settled on the round mound or rebound because I was in college for three years and I led the league in rebound in every year. I remember my coach we were talking one night and he said, I said, coach, I got this class I'm really concerned about. He says, son, you're leading to SEC and rebounding. You ain't got to worry about flucking out of college as long as you're leading to SEC and rebound.

Shout out Auburn. Shout out all right. I was like, hey, every year I'm here, I'm leading this league and rebounding, y'all. Coach just told me, as long as I'm leading the league and rebound and I'm on the team, I was there for three years

and then nobody coming close to get no rebounds. I'm leading this league. That's awesome. I ain't got to worry about nothing. I ain't got to worry about nothing. You guys got to worry about all those classes and things. I just got to get these rebounds. I'm good.

Oh, you're incredible. All right, last one. Is there a dollar amount you would pay to become a scratch golfer instantly. No. Two million be scratched right now. Would you do it? Is it my money?

Yeah. Hell no. So you don't want to be that great. You love the game so much, though. First of all, it's only two things I do. Golf and fish. I love golf because I love being out in nature. Same thing with fishing.

I'm good. No, you're not. No, no, no, I don't mean I'm good. Oh, you mean you're fine. It means it's all right, but like, I can go play golf and suck and have a good time. I really can. Would I like to be great at golf? Hell yes.

But like, I got this line I use on people. I tell them, it says, yeah, people are always making fun of my golf game. I said, but you know what? They're making fun of my golf game from work. That's good point. Hey, they might be fun of my golf game. You know what they're making fun of at work? I'm out here having a good-ass time.

That's true. He's always told me from the day we met, I can give him a stroke a hole and there's no chance he can beat. I can beat him. No, you can't give me a, you know. You wouldn't have won a hole yesterday. Chuck, take that, bro. One of a hole?

You weren't focused. I would not focus. First of all, you called. First of all, he's full of. shit too. Yeah, I believe you. He calls me at the last minute. This is not true. No, this is real. I believe. Anyways, go on. I believe you. Keep going.

There's nine holes of golf. You didn't invite me to the last minute because he played my course yesterday. And I guess, first of all, he says, hey, and see, this is, you know how he didn't think I was going to come. He says, hey, I'm coming up to your course and play. I just wanted you to come say hi.

I don't know you're actually going to interrupt my day. Well, first of all, wait a minute, you made me play. Just leave it. Leave it. You made me play. He moved out. Here because of you, bro. He moved his scotch. Give me my shot a hole. Anytime.

We, well, I'll own you. Don't take that, Chuck. Get his ass. Get his ass, yeah. Hey. Put him to bed. Give me my shot a hole. We can go play any time, brother.

What time? It's 315 right now. There you go. We got time. 6.15 Eastern. Oh, that's awesome. Well, man, we really appreciate you. It's been an absolute blast.

Thank you, Chuck. It's my pleasure, man. Keep doing your thing, brother. You're the best. Thank you, Chuck. All right. time brother. Thanks guys. And that was the one and only sir Charles Barkley. Slee's I mean there's no better man than him and what how entertaining is this guy? Dude he's one of the best no filter like you said

and by the way for him to give us an hour and 20 minutes and then hung out in the studio for another 30 minutes afterwards he is as genuine as it gets one of the nicest guys and there's some awesome stories perfect timing too with what's going on right now with Mike and the last dance and all that stuff totally agree and I just I just hate that their relationship isn't what it used to be It sucks. I mean, being in the media, I just think it's tough. And he talked about it. Like, for me, doing TV and stuff, like, I'm going to have to be open and honest and criticize some of my friends. And I hope they understand that that's just part of the job. As long as your friends aren't Michael Jordan, who holds a grudge for anyone, like not walking by and saying hello to you, you should be okay. But it is tough. That's one of the hard things about being the media. If you're just going to sit there and fluff everybody, what are you there for? So, you know, you've got to learn to deal with those. I love how hard he's working on his golf game, but he's absolutely crazy if he thinks if I give him one shot a hole, he's going to beat me. There's just zero chance.

Haven't seen his game in action in a long time, but that seems like an uphill battle. Take me, bro. I will take you just like I'm, I got, may or may not have a little piece of you at 100 to 1 this week. Oh, man, I can't wait. As much as it would pain me, it would also, I would embrace that. Well, it's going to be a blast. I can't wait, but hey, we keep the big guys coming. Next week, it's another superstar.

Who we got, Sleas? Big dogs only right now. We got Mr. Football, Johnny Mansell, him. himself, Heisman Trophy winner in studio, incredible interview. Really looking forward to that. We're setting the bar too hot. There's nowhere to go for us from here. I totally agree, but have a great day.

We'll see you on next week's golf subpar.