Listen Again: Charles Barkley

Summary

Podcast Summary: Club Shay Shay – "Listen Again: Charles Barkley"

Episode Information:

• Title: Listen Again: Charles Barkley
• Host: Shannon Sharpe, proprietor of Club Shay Shay
• Guest: Charles Barkley, NBA legend and Hall of Famer
• Release Date: December 28, 2024

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Introduction and Background

Shannon Sharpe opens the episode by introducing Charles Barkley, highlighting his illustrious career as a 16-year NBA veteran, 11-time All-Star, member of the All-NBA Team, and a significant figure in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sharpe emphasizes Barkley’s multifaceted persona, including his success as an author, commentator, and philanthropist.

Notable Quote:

• Shannon Sharpe [05:00]: "Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Charles Barkley."

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Early Life and Personal Challenges

Charles Barkley delves into his upbringing in Leeds, Alabama, sharing insights into his family's financial struggles and the absence of his father. He reflects on the resilience instilled by his mother and grandmother, emphasizing the lack of awareness about their poverty due to the community's uniform economic status.

Key Topics:

• Family Dynamics: Loss of two brothers, strained relationship with his absentee father, and the strong support from his mother and grandmother.
• Childhood Struggles: Engaging in stealing, evading police, and the transformative moment of deciding to focus on sports to honor his family's sacrifices.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [07:07]: "Poor people don't know they poor because everybody around them is poor."
• Charles Barkley [08:58]: "A very traumatic experience in my life when I was in high school."

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Basketball Career and Personal Growth

Barkley recounts his high school basketball experiences, highlighting the emotional impact of losing state tournaments and the subsequent depression that led him to fail a Spanish class. This period marked a turning point where he committed to improving himself, leading to significant weight loss under the mentorship of Moses Malone. Malone's blunt feedback—labeling Barkley as "fat" and "lazy"—motivated him to shed over 100 pounds, enhancing his performance and sustainability in the NBA.

Key Topics:

• Weight Loss Journey: From 300 pounds to 250 pounds, enabling him to compete effectively.
• Mentorship: The crucial role of Moses Malone in Barkley’s transformation both physically and mentally.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [13:22]: "College shape ain't pro shape. No."
• Shannon Sharpe [02:17]: "I've been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price."

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Challenges in the NBA and Personal Reflections

Barkley discusses the early challenges in his NBA career, including playing aggressively due to personal issues and the advice received from Dr. J to express his authentic self. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and accountability, contrasting it with the often superficial nature of sports commentary.

Key Topics:

• Aggression on Court: Playing out of anger and the subsequent realization to channel emotions positively.
• Truth and Integrity: Learning to communicate honestly with the press and fans.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [12:02]: "I'm gonna stick it to Ms. Gomez and my dad."
• Shannon Sharpe [02:21]: "The Dream Team... one of the greatest."

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Cultural and Social Commentary

Barkley shares his perspectives on racism, both past and present, discussing his experience as one of the first black children to integrate schools in Alabama. He highlights the ongoing struggle against economic racism and the importance of sports as a means of upliftment for black communities.

Key Topics:

• Racism and Integration: Personal experiences with school integration and the lack of direct racial adversity in his small town upbringing.
• Economic Racism: The systemic challenges faced by black individuals in economically disadvantaged situations.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [22:24]: "I've experienced more racism when I got out of there."
• Charles Barkley [37:00]: "Economic racism is the biggest problem we have in this country."

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Legacy and Impact on Modern Sports

Barkley reflects on his era in the NBA, praising legends like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Moses Malone for their influence on the game. He contrasts the media portrayal and financial advancements of his time with the current state of sports, discussing the evolution of player salaries and the increasing commercialization of athletes.

Key Topics:

• Influential Eras: The impact of the Magic-Bird era on the NBA’s popularity and financial growth.
• Modern Commercialization: The significant increase in player salaries and the role of endorsements and media.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [54:22]: "We never even experienced anything like that..."
• Charles Barkley [58:41]: "I'm the only person in the history of sports who never played against anybody who was shorter than them."

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Financial Responsibility and Philanthropy

Barkley emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility, drawn from his own experiences with gambling losses. He advises younger athletes to save wisely, avoid excessive spending, and be cautious with financial decisions to ensure long-term stability.

Key Topics:

• Gambling and Financial Losses: Personal anecdotes about significant losses and the lessons learned.
• Philanthropy: Contributions to charities, particularly focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [139:03]: "Cause financial."
• Charles Barkley [142:44]: "There's 80% of professional athletes go broke. I don't want you on that list."

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Health and Well-being

Barkley discusses his journey with weight loss and hip replacements, highlighting the importance of maintaining physical health for longevity both in sports and life. He credits modern weight loss medications for his significant weight reduction.

Key Topics:

• Weight Management: Transition from 355 pounds to 285 pounds with medical assistance.
• Health Consciousness: The necessity of staying healthy to enjoy life post-retirement.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [143:37]: "Turn it down. Hey. Loud."
• Charles Barkley [143:36]: "I've lost. So, Shannon, I got new hips."

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Social Media and Public Perception

Barkley shares his frustrations with social media, particularly how it amplifies negativity and misinformation. He advocates for honest and constructive conversations without resorting to personal attacks, emphasizing the need for fairness and respect in public discourse.

Key Topics:

• Social Media Impact: The challenges of maintaining integrity and positivity in the face of online negativity.
• Public Perception: Navigating fame while staying true to oneself amidst external pressures.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [116:44]: "It's exhausting being black."
• Charles Barkley [118:50]: "I want to talk about this, but I think we have to be very selective."

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Closing Thoughts and Final Messages

In the closing segment, Barkley reflects on the responsibilities that come with fame, urging younger generations to learn from his experiences. He emphasizes the significance of accountability, integrity, and the impact of role models in shaping future athletes.

Key Topics:

• Responsibility of Fame: Using one's platform for positive influence and meaningful conversations.
• Legacy Building: Encouraging future athletes to prioritize long-term well-being over short-term gratification.

Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [124:18]: "Cause it was the greatest fraternity ever."
• Charles Barkley [143:10]: "So I started doing Mounjaro. And I got... I'm 285. I want to get to 270 because my doctor like 270."

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Conclusion

The episode offers a deep dive into Charles Barkley’s life, both personal and professional. From overcoming early life challenges and transforming his physical health to navigating the complexities of fame and advocating for social justice, Barkley provides candid insights and valuable lessons. Shannon Sharpe facilitates a meaningful conversation that not only celebrates Barkley’s achievements but also underscores his commitment to using his platform for positive change.

Overall Notable Quotes:

• Charles Barkley [141:53]: "Yo, man, we can be wrong. But we can be something right."
• Shannon Sharpe [97:57]: "I don't think Peyton Manning went out and bought a Rolls Royce."

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Key Takeaways:

• Resilience and Transformation: Barkley’s ability to overcome personal and physical challenges is a testament to his resilience.
• Honesty and Integrity: Upholding honesty in communication, both on and off the court, as a cornerstone of his legacy.
• Financial Responsibility: The importance of managing finances wisely to ensure long-term stability.
• Social Advocacy: Using his influence to address systemic issues and support marginalized communities.
• Health and Well-being: Prioritizing physical health to enjoy a fulfilling life beyond professional sports.

This episode serves as an inspiring narrative of perseverance, personal growth, and the impactful use of one’s platform for societal betterment.

Transcript

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[Joanna Teplin]

Are must haves on my checklist. My fellow friends and fans.

[Charles Barkley]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

A got to roll the dice that's why all my life I've been grinding.

[Charles Barkley]

All my life all my life Been grinding all my life Sacrifice hustle paid.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The price Want a slice not to roll a dice that's why all my life I've been grinding all my life. The 82 game preseason is in the books and it's finally time for the real season. Don't miss out on any NBA playoff action at DraftKings Sportsbook and official sports betting partner of the NBA. From the play in tournament through the finals, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered with same game parlays, live betting, odds boost and much more. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Use code SHANNON. New customers can bet $5 and get 200 in bonus bets instantly. That's the Code Shannon only on DraftKings. The crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or in West Virginia, visit 1-800- GAMBLER.net in New York, call 877-8-HOPE NY or text HOPE in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling, call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly.

[Charles Barkley]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

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[Charles Barkley]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Amount of initial losing bet. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. See dkng.com promos for deposit, wagering and eligibility restrictions terms and responsible gaming resources Hello. Welcome to another episode of Club Shay Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharpe. I'm also the proprietor of Club Shay Shay. The guy that's stopping by for conversation and a drink today is a sports icon and a true superstar. One of the game's greatest NBA players and power forwards of all time. He's one of the greatest rebounders of all time. He's the shortest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding. A 16 year NBA vet, 11 time NBA All Star, 11 time member of the All NBA Team, the 1993 Most Valuable Player All Star Game MVP. A two time gold medalist, the leading scorer on the famous Dream Team. He's also named to the 50th and 75th anniversary team. He has his number retired in Philly, Phoenix and at the University of Auburn. SEC player of the 1980s. A two time inductee of the hall of Fame. A four time Emmy Award winning personality, analyst and commentator, fan favorite, successful author, sought after speaker, philanthropist, one of the game's greatest character. He was like no other. A larger than life personality. He might be the most quotable sports figure in all of sports. Sir Charles the Round Mountain Rebound. The Prince of Pizza. Guess what they call him? The Leaning Tower of Pizza. The Crisco Kid. The Wide Load from Leeds. One of the Most popular figures in NBA history. Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Charles Barkley.

[Charles Barkley]

Thank you. Wrote that. You read that Just like I wrote it. I appreciate that. It's an honor, man. Thank you for having me, man. I've been. You know, we've been trying to do this for a long time.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We have.

[Charles Barkley]

We have. Between golf, I figured out we're crisscrossing each other across the country every week. Cause I'm flying to Atlanta, you're flying to la, back and forth. So I'm glad it's an honor, though, man. You're doing a hell of a job.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Jon, man, I want to say thank you for opening up. I mean, your NBA career goes without saying, but what you've been able to do, to transition after the NBA and to become. A lot of people might not like you, but they respect what you've been able to accomplish. And you open the doors for a lot of us, especially myself, because I took my cue from you. And we'll get into that a little later. So I want to toast your success. This is my cognac.

[Charles Barkley]

Hey, you know, we got to talk about your cognac, because I can't get into dark liquor, Man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

This is so smooth. It don't drink, like, but see it drink. It's a vsop, but it drinks like an exo.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm tell you what, before we.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's yours. That's yours.

[Charles Barkley]

You get to take that home before we finish today. I'm gonna try something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

You got my word.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You got. You got your. You got your red.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. So, you know, it's a company, a distillery I bought in Alabama about four years ago.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

You know, being from Alabama, I always look for business opportunities in Alabama. And the distillery opened up, and I was like, okay. They do vodka gin. I think we got a great product. The only thing I worry about is me and my boys drinking all up the profits, you know? Cause I'm a vodka guy. But, you know, we do a vodka gin shout out to Redmond. It's been cool. It's a very interesting business. When I say interesting, I mean corrupt, it's called. Yeah. Yeah, it is. But, you know, long as I invest in Alabama, you know, I grew up in a small town outside of Birmingham, but I'm always looking for investment opportunities in Alabama that'll always be home.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You grew up in a small town? I grew up in a small town. Leeds, Alabama. What was Charles Barkley childhood like?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, you know, Shannon, it's interesting because poor people don't know they poor. Yeah. Because everybody around them is poor. Everybody around you is poor. You know, I had a great mother and grandmother.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

My mother was a maid. My grandmother worked at the chicken factory. But they did awesome. And, you know, I had three brothers. Two of my brothers have passed away, but, man, we didn't even know we were poor. We lived in the projects, right? And they were. They worked all the time, but we didn't go without anything. So I've always tried to take care of them when they were alive, but I didn't know, like, yo, we had everything we needed. We never went hungry. We always had good clothing. And I was so blessed to have a great mother and grandmother. My dad was not in the picture. Okay? And me and my dad, we. We got along later in life. But in the beginning, I had none but animosity and hate toward him because he wasn't around. Cause he wasn't around, and he didn't do anything for us. And to see my mother and grandmother struggling, you know. Cause, you know, bringing up those boys, trying to make sure we got, you know, cleaning people houses. And my grandmother was crazy. She'd bring a million chicken feet home. And for you. People don't know what chicken feet are.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They are what they say they are.

[Charles Barkley]

And you know what people don't understand? This is a chicken feet. There's only one piece of meat right here, and you have to eat like 100 of them to get a full meal. She would bring all type of body parts home from the butcher shop all the time. But, you know, I made peace with my dad later in life and. Cause he died a couple years ago. But we became casual friends. I didn't need a dad by the time we reconnected. But I buried the hatchet. Cause you know, you can't go through life being angry. Cause it just weighs you down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

But I was so fortunate to have a great mother and grandmother.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The forgiveness that you gave him, that was for you because he was living his life.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You was carrying around something that was weighing you down.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, you know, Shannon, that was a very. A really traumatic experience in my life when I was in high school.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

So when I got ready. So when 1. It's a couple goals in my basketball career I'm really proud of.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Number one, getting my team to the state tournament. My high school had never been to the state tournament. And then getting Auburn to March Madness. Those are two of the most important things I've ever done in my life. But to get back to the high school thing, my junior year, we got beat By a better team. My senior year, we were the best team in the state. But I kind of got hurt. I got hurt and we lost. And I kind of was just so depressed. I kind of stayed in bed for like two weeks. I mean, I was. So the first year get them to the tournament was a big deal because they had never been before. The next year, like, I want to bring the first state championship to my high school. And then we lost. I just went into a deep depression. So I got behind in all my classes and I caught up in every one of them except Spanish. First of all, I have no reason why I was taking Spanish in Alabama. So I caught up in all my classes, have Spanish. So I didn't graduate. I had to go to summer school. Oh, man. And my dad, who was living in California my whole childhood, flew in and he ripped me a new. And I'm already traumatized that I'm not gonna get to march. And when he flew in at that point, I just. Hey, man, I ain't never gonna forgive this dude ever again for yelling at me like that. Cause I was already down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So how often prior to him flying in to ream you for failing that class, how often had you seen him? How active was he in your life?

[Charles Barkley]

Zero.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So that was the first. That was like he just came in just for that?

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. And I had. And I. It's. My memory is vaguely. But I don't think I probably saw him probably 10 times in my childhood. But he flew in for that high school reunion. I didn't know I couldn't. That I had flunked the final exam until right before graduation. And he ripped me a new one. But that night, I went to the high school and I stood next door on the stadium and watched the graduation and cried for like two hours. And that night I said, this is the last time I'm gonna let anybody ever have control of my life. I mean, I was crying. It was brutal, of course. And I was standing there just watching all my friends graduate. And some of the people, let's be honest, they weren't that nice to me. They were calling me dummy and things like that. Right. So I was obviously, I was kind of out of it. Then I went to summer school. And then from that point on, I got my act together. But the biggest problem was my first few years in the NBA, I was such an. Because I was playing so angry. Cause I was thinking about two people. Ms. Gomez.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

And my dad.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Ms. Gomez, I'm assuming, is a Spanish teacher.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And you know, people Said, man, why you play so angry and so aggressive? And I never told anybody till later. I said, man, I was. Every time I stepped on the court, I said, I'm gonna stick it to Ms. Gomez and my dad, right? And it wasn't until the spitting incident in New Jersey when I was sitting in the hotel room crying that night, I said, yo, man, you an don't play basketball to try to stick it to people. The kids who made fun of you in High School. Ms. Gomez, first of all, it was your fault you flunked Spanish. It wasn't Ms. Gomez fault. It was your fault you flunked Spanish. Hey, listen, your dad's. So that's on him, right? Play basketball because, number one, you're good at it. But it's. It's just. Just play. And that was like the turning point in my life, you know? And. And the second turning point was probably meeting Moses Malone, right? Because when I got. Because I was in college for three years and I weighed about 2 90ish to 300, I was always fluctuating right in there. And then when I got drafted by the Sixers because I led the league in sec, a rebound area. So, you know, I think I'm successful and I'm in good shape. Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

But, you know, there's no reason for you to lose weight if you're doing all that.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And, you know, you know, because you've been a Hall of Famer, obviously, college shape ain't pro shape. No. Yeah, college shape ain't pro shape. It's a different animal.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It is.

[Charles Barkley]

And I remember I got lucky because Moses lived in the same building as me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay?

[Charles Barkley]

And I said, moses, I wasn't getting to play. I said, moses, can I come see you tonight? He said, sure. What's up? I said, I'll tell you later. And I said, moses, why am I not getting to play? He said, charles, you're fat or you're lazy.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He's that blunt, huh?

[Charles Barkley]

Oh, yeah, he was a great. He's like E.F. hudden. He didn't say much, right? But he was such an elder statesman and was so respected. He was like E.F. hudden. Like, every time Moses said something. Cause Doc spoke. Andrew Toney, Bobby Jones, those guys mo cheeks, too. But Moses never really said a lot. But when he spoke, that whole locker room, like Moses talking, shut the hell up. And when he told me I was fat and lazy. But then he said the next thing, he said, you want me to help you lose weight? He said, I'll meet you before practice after Practice. And he said, let's lose 10 pounds. I said, okay. And then I lost. I got to about 290. And then he said, let's lose 10 more. Then I get to 280. Now I'm getting to play.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Cause I can sustain it. You can't sustain effort at 300.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

So now I'm at 280. He's in, let's lose 10 more. He gets me to 270, 260, 250. And I look back at that when I talk to kids about losing weight. I said, let's lose some weight. Cause if he had to say to me, let's lose 50 pounds, I was like, whoa. But he did it in such a smart way. He said, let's lose 10 pounds. Let's lose 10. And then when he got to 2, when I got to to 250, the rest is history. Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm looking at your childhood. It's, it's. I read that your grandmother ran a bar.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, no, she didn't run a bar. We had people come to the house, get drunk every weekend. No, see, so it was. It was. And you think that's normal.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

And what's crazy about it, Shannon? It was a fight every weekend. Every weekend?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. Cause the drinking involved and gambling probably.

[Charles Barkley]

So that's what it was. So we didn't have a bar.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

In my hometown.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, okay.

[Charles Barkley]

So every starting Friday.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Pay period.

[Charles Barkley]

Pay period. Everybody. Cuz now, you know, everybody's trying to make extra money. Yeah. And do you know once they start losing, it's going to be a fight. Cause they start drinking. So my grandmother would go to Georgia every week and get cheaper alcohol. And me and Jeep do shots. So I was kind of like the guy who bought the shots out.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

And then go back to my room. Charles, come here. Need another drink. But starting Friday around 6:00.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

10 people would come over and gamble. And then once it started, always started out civil. And then once somebody got drunk and started losing their money, it was always gonna be a fight.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Of course.

[Charles Barkley]

And we did that every Friday and Saturday pretty much my entire childhood. And that's how we made extra money. Because you're not making enough money working in a meat factory as a maid. But it was crazy because. And my grandmother, she was amazing. But it was crazy. It's crazy thinking about it now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right?

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What kind of lessons did that teach you? Seeing your grandmother doing what she could to make ends meet. You see your mom doing what she can to make ends meet. There's four boys going on. You're not getting the assistance that you need from your dad. You're not getting the. The love, the advice, the discipline from your dad. So what kind of impact did that have on you?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, so I had started stealing, and one night, the cops chased us. That was the closest we all got to getting arrested. And I remember when I was crawling on the ground in the woods, because they chased us. They were chasing us, and we were crawling. Wants to crawl, like a hundred, 200 yards. And I remember I had dirt everywhere and scars everywhere. And I was like, damn, my mother and grandmother are working their off every day, and you out here being a crook. And then that's when I said, you know what? I got to get these ladies the love and the respect they deserve. So then I said, you know what? I'm going to just play sports. And then what's really funny about it, I sucked at sports. I wasn't any good because I didn't have my growth spurt. Cause most people don't know that. I was only 510 when I was a junior in high school. If I had the growth spurt, ain't no telling what I would be doing today. I was a 510 backup point guard. And then one year, I grew from 510 to 6 5.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, but at 5'ten you probably weighed probably, what, 175, 180?

[Charles Barkley]

No, I was like 220.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's football player right there. You should have been a running back.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Let me tell you something. My friends make fun of me. I played football for one day. You know, football's my favorite sport in boxing. Cause I think it takes a real man to play football and box. Cause those are the only sports you can really get hurt at, right? And I was like, I played football for one day. And I was like. And I was just joke with the football coach. Later, after I had my growth spurred, and I was later in life, he's like, I think I made a mistake putting you on the offensive line. I just. No, you made a mistake talking me into playing football. Because I played the one day and I just ran into. I says, I just ran into a guy, full speed for like two hours. This is stupidest ever. And I remember I was sitting in the locker room, I was bloody and beaten up, and I had my head down. I was totally. This is the first. That was the first day of practice. And the coach says, I'll see y'all tomorrow. I said, wait, we doing this tomorrow? And I said, I'm not doing this tomorrow. I said no, under no circumstances as a coach. And I went and after practice I went on, said, coach, I want to thank you for the opportunity. But football, turn your equipment back in. Right back in. After that first day, this is not for me. This is not for me. Right. Like I say that one of the reason football is my favorite sport, I think it takes tremendous courage. That and boxing are by far and away my two favorite sports. Because you can't cheat in football and boxing. Basketball, you can skate, skate on offense or defense and you know, whatever. But if you put, if you're on a football field, you cannot cheat. Same thing in a boxing ring. You're gonna get your head knocked off. That's why I admire football players and boxers, because it takes tremendous courage to go out there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

Hey guys, this is Matt Jones. Drew Franklin from the Fade this podcast. We got a great episode coming up. Picks in all the sports. Football, basketball, we do them all. But here's a preview of this week's episode. I've seen people in the gambling community kind of make jokes about fade this and we just goof off and don't even talk about the games. Bring your records and set them on this table right now. All you out there that are spend two hours talking about the games and will in the last seven years and night games, they've come in and haven't scored 20 points and you get too detailed. Bring your records right here to fade this. We'll, we'll talk about books and cooking and Kevin Costner and still make more money betting on sports than you will. And this episode was brought to you in partnership with DraftKings. To hear more, listen and subscribe to Fade this on iheartradio or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Jenny Garth]

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[Joanna Teplin]

Thursday on abc. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens, Joanna Teplin and Cleigh Shearer as they hit the road on a mission to Transform the lives of deserving families whose stories will truly touch your heart. With the help of the design team Ariane Belizer and Wendell Holland, they have just four days, a race against time to rally communities, demolish old homes, and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Get ready for those heartfelt moments filled with tears of joy, as Joanna and Clee dive deep into the emotional journeys of these families, uncovering their and beginning the healing process. It's not just about remodeling homes. It's about rebuilding hope, one family at a time. So don't miss out on this incredible journey. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu. You won't want to miss it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You're born in Alabama. We understand the history of racism in Alabama.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did you experience any racism growing up when you was in that small town of Alabama?

[Charles Barkley]

No, because the year I was born was the church bombing. You got the Selma massacre. You had the Montgomery boycott. My grandmother in my town, I think it was a great place to grow up because we weren't in a small town. I think. I don't even think we really know what the hell going on. I've experienced more racism and seen more racism when I got out of there, obviously. And, you know, I was one of the first two kids to integrate the school system. Right. And I didn't. We didn't know what the hell was going on. I didn't find out until later. There was a guy named Mr. Allen who drove me and two other kids actually, to segregate, to integrate the schools, the elementary schools. But I never felt. I never felt racism in Leeds, to be honest with you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That accent? Yeah, very. I have one very heavy colloquial dialect that's indigenous to the South.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did people make fun of the way you spoke or did everybody speak like that?

[Charles Barkley]

I didn't realize it until I got to Philadelphia, you know? Cause I spent my entire life in Alabama, you know. You know, one of the great decisions I made was going to Auburn.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, okay. So obviously, you know, by now I'm really close to my mother and grandmother. I'm gonna stay in the box.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

UAB is 25, 30 minutes from my house. Tuscaloosa is an hour, hour 15 from my house. Auburn's the furthest way by far. It's like a legit two hours. So when I was trying to figure out where to go to college, uab, led by the great Gene Bartow, made it to the Sweet 16 Alabama made it to the Sweet 16, and they both had everybody coming back.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, Bobby Lee Hurt, Enos Watlet.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, no, we came out together. Not only did they both make it to the Sweet 16, Alabama signed Ennis Wiley and Bobby Lee Hurt. So I'm saying. I'm saying to myself, man, I want to play, right? So I go down to Auburn and I said. I'm looking around, I said, damn, these bombs done lost 12 games in a row. So I asked Coach Smith, I said, you got a pin on you? He said, oh, what, you a big time. You're getting ready to sign an autograph. I said, nope, I'm signing right now. Cause these damn guys can't play dead. Y'all done lost 12 games in a row, and I don't see anybody out there who put fear in my heart. And that's actually how the whole thing at Auburn went down. I said, his son. He said, you go sign autographs. I said, nope, I'm signing a scholarship right on the spot. Cause these dudes cannot play dead. And that's how I made the best decision to go to Auburn. Because I tell all these kids, some of these kids are dummies. I say, yo, man, look who they have on the team. Before you go there, right, if you know there's a guy who's really good and you play the same position, no matter how much confidence you got, you probably not gonna beat him out. He's gonna be bigger, stronger, more experienced. When you. I said the number one thing. I said, if you want an education, you get an education anywhere. But the number one thing when you're deciding to go to college is playing time. Because that's gonna be the first time you're away from home. And if you don't get to play, college gonna suck. Your grade's gonna suck, your personal life gonna suck. You really need to look at who's on the roster before you decide to go.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So you said you didn't realize that you had an accent until you got to Philly.

[Charles Barkley]

To Philly.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Once you got to Philly, did you ever try to change the way you talk or enunciate words?

[Charles Barkley]

No, not really. Because, as you know, fame ain't like everybody trying to explain being in limelight of fame. Whatever words you want to use, trying to explain that to a normal person, like talking Chinese or talking to an.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Alien, you're not a sports. You're a celebrity choker.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Yeah. But. But when I first, like. It's overwhelming when it first happens.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

I was like. I said, you can't even prepare for it. I said, when they start sticking those cameras and you turn on tv, they talking good or bad about you in Philadelphia, on the radio, going to the black barbershop. Hey, never go to a black barbershop when you're on a bad team, ever. Hey, under any circumstances. I said, do never. Hey, the Woody brothers in Philadelphia, Man, I played on some teams that suck in Philly when Doc and Moses had run away. Never go to a black barbershop when things are going bad.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They will tell you the truth.

[Charles Barkley]

They will tell you the truth. And even if it's not your fault, they just gonna tell you y'all suck. Y'all suck. But no, I was trying to adjust. And really, a pivotal moment had when I was with Dr. J. So my second year in the league, I'm starting to become a good player. And I hate when guys get on TV and say they don't give a. What people think, blah, blah, blah. Everybody wants to be liked.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They do.

[Charles Barkley]

But I was trying to make everybody happy. They started. Cause my first couple years, they went to Moses, Dr. J, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, those guys, Bobby Jones. Like, I don't think I ever got interviewed in my rookie year. So late in my second year, I'm starting to get it together and learn. The game slowing down for me and Dr. J. I said, doc, how do I talk to the press? He said, well, you gotta figure it out. Cause they coming to you now. You turn into a hell of a player. I said, well, I want everybody to like me. He says, well, that's kind of an interesting question. Because no matter what you say, half people gonna like it and half people gonna dislike it. And I said, what does that mean? He says, that's the way this thing worked. You can't make everybody happy. And then that was the turning point for me. I said, what if I just say my truth? He says, you might as well say your truth. Because even if you said what everybody wants you to say, some people are gonna disagree with it. And then I changed my whole philosophy as far as, like, just be honest. That does not mean I'm right all the time, right? But I'm gonna try to be fair and give my honest opinion. And I can live with the repercussions. Cause you said something earlier. Whether people like me or not, they at least got like, you know what? At least Charles, even if I disagree with him, he doesn't have a hidden agenda. Cause the one thing I hate about these guys, somebody. And, you know, I got this Hate towards Skip Bayless, because especially being black, I think I'm. I think I'm representing something bigger. I think every black person on television. Television is really powerful. Really. Mike Wilbourne, one of my mentors, one of the best people I ever met, he said something to me one time, he says, when he first got the job at pti, one of my favorite shows with him and Kornhauser, he says, man, I didn't realize how powerful television was. He says, I've been with the Washington Post for 25 years. I walk around, nobody say hello, kiss my, or anything. I'm on TV for a week. Hey, you're the guy from tv. And he said he had to learn, like, man, TV is a powerful thing. But the point I want to make, as a black person, I'm really conscious of everything I say, you gotta be. You gotta be. Because there is a double standard. Because one thing that drives me crazy when people use code word describing me, you, Stephen A. Guys like that. I says, and I want to be very careful because I'm not trying to offend anybody, but I want to make this point. I says, well, I'm curious. You don't use those type of words. You use words, and we know what they mean. Black. When you talk about Shannon, Stephen A. And Chuck, I said, but when Colin Coward, Jim Rohn, Mike Greenberg, who are great guys, I might add, when they say stuff, you don't use those cold words with them. And I says, so I'm very cognizant of, like, okay, there's a double standard. So I'm really careful about some of the stuff I say, but I'm not afraid of anything, because my opinion matters, just like theirs do. Right? Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But we. I think we start to understand is that it's not what we say. It's the breaking of down of everything, of every word.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Of parsing it. Trying to like, well, this.

[Charles Barkley]

No. Yes, this is my favorite. Well, when I see shows like, well, this is what he said, but this is what he meant. I'm like, no, I know what. I know what I meant.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I said it.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, I said it. But I always laugh when they say, like, well, he said this, but this is what he mean. This is what he was trying to say. I'm like, no, I said exactly what I meant to say. It drives me crazy when I see when they. Not mainly saying about me, but talking about other people. Well, this jock said this. Cause Jim Rome says something I really love. He says, every time somebody says, I mean no disrespect, you know what's coming next? Disrespect. Jim Rome, who I really like a lot, he said he does a segment every week where he says that. He says, you know, it's time for the disrespect moment. And he always played upon. Well, I mean, no disrespect. He said, wait for it. You know, what's coming next? Disrespect. And I love that, right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

When you played, were you a trash talker?

[Charles Barkley]

Not much.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Not much.

[Charles Barkley]

Not much. Cause I had, you know, because I had too much going on in my brain. Because when you're 65 playing against a 6, 8 guy, 6, 9 guy, 610 guy, I have to have a strategy. You know, I think somebody said something to me one time. They went and looked at the numbers. I'm the only person in the history of sports who never played against anybody who was shorter than them. Because I played center in college, right? And then obviously in the NBA, I'm always gonna be the shortest guy in.

[Shannon Sharpe]

My shortest power forward in history.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, in history. So I says, I had so much going on in my brain. I'm like, okay, they bringing this guy in. He does this. Well, he does this. He plays me this way. Then they bring the other guy in. I said, well, he plays me this way. They gonna do this. So I had so much going on in my brain. I mean. Cause like I say, when you, you can't out talent. I mean, if you have Michael, LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, you can out talent 99% of the guys in the world. But when you're a 65 power forward, you can't out talent people. I tell people that you can't out talent people at my size. You have to use your brain, right? Were you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did you fight a lot as a kid?

[Charles Barkley]

No. Cause I was too little. Because, see, that's the thing that people don't understand. Like, I was always small until I had the growth spurt, right. Like I say, when you're a little dude, you can't be going around fighting people. Cause you're gonna get your ass kicked. It was, you know. You know, people always ask me though, about the growth spurt. Yeah, I never had any pain really. I. I like when you go, when you wake up one day you 5 10, and the next day you 6 5. Like, I never went through, like, knees didn't bother you?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Nothing hurt.

[Charles Barkley]

It was really weird. I'd never. It never hurt me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But could you tell that you had grown that much over the summer?

[Charles Barkley]

I did not know it that's what's weird. The coach said to me, you grown over the summer. I said, I think I've grown a little bit. And then he said, like, you like six, four and a half, six, five, and from five, ten. Yeah. And the best thing, though, Shannon, the best thing was because the number one asset of my game was my ability to dribble.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

Because you can't post up guys who are 6, 9, 6, 10, but they don't want to move their feet.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Great.

[Charles Barkley]

So when I played guard all those years, that was probably the best asset to me when I got to play against those big guys.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Taught you to handle the ball.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, yeah. Because them big dudes, the one thing, it's hard to post them up, but they can't move their feet more than one or two times. And that was the biggest asset of my game, my ability to dribble.

[Shannon Sharpe]

If you grow that much in a summer, I mean, your clothes, you probably looking like Jethro Bodine.

[Charles Barkley]

You probably. That's the one thing about being poor, you're just dropping down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, so you wear hand me down, me down.

[Charles Barkley]

Cause you know we ain't gonna get no. You know, you gonna get you one suit for Easter.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

You gonna get a couple outfits for Christmas. The rest of the stuff's gonna be hand me downs.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

You know, and also, when you're in a small town, it's a very close knit community. So when you get done with clothing, it's always a neighbor. Somebody needs, somebody gets something. That's why I'll always appreciate growing up in a small town. You know, Kenny grew up in New York. I wouldn't want. Unsure how my life would have been different if I had grown up in New York. But growing up in a small town, it really, it was really a sense of community.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Community.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Everybody. I mean, and that's what I. When I'm on nightcap and I try to tell people this, it was always everybody was, yes, sir, no, sir, yes, sir, no, ma'am. If you misbehave, Miss such and such would tear your tail up.

[Charles Barkley]

You gonna get two whoopings.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And then she gonna go home and say, mary, I had to whip that boy because he was being managed or he. And then you got another whipping.

[Charles Barkley]

Yep.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What happened to that sense of community, Chuck?

[Charles Barkley]

You know, we, we in the black community, we. We just have to do better. We gotta. Number one, racism exists. Always has and always will. You know, I really, I tell people this sports are a great thing for black kids. It's really helped a Lot of us get out of here and help and go back and make things better. But you have to understand some, if you're born and it's white poor too.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

Because it's really economic racism, like calling people names and stuff like that, that's just silly and stupid. But economic racism is the biggest problem we have in this country. Because if you're black and poor or white and poor, you're going to be born in a bad neighborhood and you're going to go to an inferior school. And I always use this analogy. I says if you play baseball and if every time you step up to the plate, you got two strikes against you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

Shannon going to get a hit. Chuck going to get a hit, and we're going to have a couple of hits. But most people are going to strike out.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes. Or you're afraid to swing.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That third strike.

[Charles Barkley]

So I just think that we got to do a better job of holding each other accountable and accept the fact that, hey, it's a double standard, but you can never give up. You can never be like, you know what? I'm tired. Because let's be realistic. It's still better than it used to be. Yes, it ain't perfect, but it's still better than it used to be.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Check this out. When you got to Auburn, you weighed 300 pounds the first 200 days in college. It's reported that you ordered 100 pieces. But you led the SEC in rebounding your three years you were there. You hold the record for the career field goal percentage at almost 63%. You was SEC player of the year and the decade of the 80s, and you're a member of the Auburn's all century team. How the hell you do that at £300?

[Charles Barkley]

Man, I had some serious talent, to be honest with you. And like I say, the college game is not near as fast. And, you know, we just live in a different generation a lot faster now. But, you know, you kind of. Unless you get a fast break, because when teams score, you're walking the ball up and down the court. And it was really interesting. One of my coaches, Roger Banks, I struggled like the first week I was in college. He says, son, what is your problem? Cause I averaged 20 rebounds a game in high school. Cause I played with a really good high school team and they never ran plays for me. So I had to get my own. I had to get my own.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And you weren't passing it back out. You quit?

[Charles Barkley]

No, no. So we had about eight players who got scholars. We had really good teams. Yeah, we had really good sports teams in my hometown. Cause, you know, a lot of times when people in small towns, they got like three high schools. The one thing about my high school, we got one high school, you go k to 12 with the same group. So we always had good sports team.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, you didn't go k to 12 in the same class, did you?

[Charles Barkley]

No, no, no, no. But I'm telling you, it was crazy. You see the same people from K to 12, right? And it's so funny how, like, we always had a good team in football and basketball. Always had good team in football and basketball.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did it ever dawn on you? You're like, well, man, I'm really killing it. I'm getting these. I'm playing. I'm averaging 13, 14, 15 points. I'm getting 10, 12 rebounds. Man, if I lost a few pounds, I might be able to bump that up to do 20, 15. Did I ever thought cross your mind in college?

[Charles Barkley]

No. Because when you, you know, the toughest thing about a player and you know this, and a team kind of happened to my Eagles this year when they got off to like a 10 and one start a lot of times, what people don't understand, when you're having success, you still need to get better as a player and as a team and have. Cause you can have bad habits, but your team is so good, you keep winning. So I'm talking. I'm not sure, but I'm probably the only freshman to ever lead to SEC and rebounding. And then I let it every year. So I'm not thinking about flaws. I think I'm doing pretty good. Yeah. So I'm not thinking about, yo, man, lose weight. I'm like, yo, I'm all sec, I'm leading the league in rebound as a freshman, as a sophomore, as a junior, and I'm like, no, I'm good. And, you know, actually, my coach tried to get me to lose weight, and we, we fought a little bit early in my career. We're really close today because I had to go back and apologize. I said, you know what? You were right. You were right, I was wrong. I should have lost weight sooner. I could have been better. But, you know, we're all. When you're 18 and having success, you don't. You don't think anything. You're good.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You think you're the beast.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Yeah. So I. It goes back to my thing with Ms. Gomez and my dad. Like, you know what? It's you. You know, I tell you the one thing about being in the limelight, man. Very few people have the ability to say, my fault, my bad.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. There ain't a whole lot of accountability going on.

[Charles Barkley]

There's a lot of people kissing your.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Very few people have the ability to say, hey, you know what? It's my fault. It's my bad. I was wrong. Because like I said, you got so many people kissing you. You got so many people on the payroll who are kissing you. It's like, so you have to be self aware. And that's the only thing I hate about life. All the dumb you did. You get older, you get so much smarter and get so much wisdom, and you go back, man, what a dummy I was.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But nobody told you that was dummy.

[Charles Barkley]

No. Yeah, but, but, but you. You know, that's a. That is. That's the one thing about life that I. That I really hate, that you don't learn all this smart stuff till you get older. Because there's so many people out there. There's so many people out there who make mistakes they either die from or it ruins their life. And if you get older, you're like, man, what I did back then was dumb and stupid. And I wish that more young kids would pick up, talk to people like you, me. Cause we've been through some stuff. Like when I watch you all the time, you talk about preparing for success. You talk about your time in Denver, you talk about your time with the Ravens, about trying to teach the young guys how to do things, take care of them bodies and things like that. I tell these guys, yo, man, it's like, Z, I like Z a lot.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Does he remind you of you?

[Charles Barkley]

He reminds me. I mean, he's more exposed, more athletic. He's more athletic, but the sooner he gets in shape, the better he's going to be.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Have you had a conversation with him?

[Charles Barkley]

No, but. And I don't. I don't know him, but I try to tell him that on television. I hope he hears it. Don't take it as a criticism because, like, he. He has got so much talent. And you can't get in shape during the season. No, you get in shape during the summer.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

And I see that he's lost about 25 pounds. That's what the reports are during the season. You got to do that during the summer because you got to be ready to go when the season starts. Because he got. Man, he is so explosive because that last game that he got hurt in against the Lakers, that's the best I've ever seen him play. But you, man, and Listen, listen. I got in shape for $2 million. The money these guys are making today, I'd be damn near anorexic. For 35, $40 million a year, they're making 50, 60, Charles. I know. They'd be like, we gotta get Charles to eat. He's anorexic. I was like, my first contract was four years, $2 million, right? And I said, I lost 50 pounds for that type of money. I said, for 30, 40, 50, $60 million. They were like, yo, guys, Charles is losing too much weight. We have to make sure he ain't bulimic or something. I said, but so, man, I just hope he listens and don't take it. Because guys who've been in this business, like yourself and myself, man, it's just the best job in the world.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But sometimes you need to take constructive criticism. But the problem is, is that a lot of time, athletes, and I've been one, and now I'm on the other side, is that we have people around us that tell us what we want to hear, what we need to know.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And so a person that tells you what you need to know, you're less apt to move away from that person. And keep the people that's telling you what you want to hear around. They should tell him. He should see it. Because when I first saw him, I say, he reminds me of Charles Barkley, but he's more explosive than Chuck. But if he lost, if he got down to 250, they'd have to change.

[Charles Barkley]

That'd be like. Because the thing he did against the Lakers in that one game, he could do that every night. And that goes back to my original thing. Like, I could have a couple good plays when I was £300, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

You couldn't sustain it.

[Charles Barkley]

But I couldn't sustain it. When I got to 250, I could sustain it. And I could go the next day and the next day, the next day. And I hope you know these guys. And I hate to be the old man. Cause you know when you say something or I say something, we hate what we hate. Are we the old get off my lawn guys? I'm like, no, we know how this story ends, right? I says, let me tell you something. I know how every NBA story's gonna end. I played against Bird. I played against Magic, Kareem, Michael. You know, I play like I know what it takes to be successful and.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, you know what it takes to be great.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And, you know, the thing is, it's like, let's talk about drugs. I had a younger brother who was a junkie who died at a young age. When I talked to these young kids in high school to college about drugs, I said, yo man, it ain't a matter if, it's a matter of when.

[Jenny Garth]

Hey, it's Jenny Garth. Did you know that? Future Health, the best online weight loss program, is giving millions of people access to affordable weight loss meds for less than $3 a day. Just go to tryfh.com and take their quick 3 minute survey to get started. Try fh.com find out if weight loss meds are right for you. Try FH.com Try FH.com Future Health is not a healthcare service provider. Meds are prescribed at providers discretion. Results may vary. Sponsored by Future Health.

[Joanna Teplin]

Thursday on abc. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens Joanna Teplin and Clee Shearer as they hit the road on a mission to transform the lives of deserving families whose stories will truly touch your heart. With the help of the design team Ariane Belizer and Wendell Holland, they have just four days a race against time to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Get ready for those heartfelt moments filled with tears of joy as Joanna and CLE dive deep into the emotional journeys of these families, uncovering their struggles and beginning the healing process. It's not just about remodeling homes. It's about rebuilding hope one family at a time. So don't miss out on this incredible journey. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu. You won't want to miss it.

[Charles Barkley]

We have one more act for you this evening. I don't even need to say his name.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Mr. Bob Dylan, a complete unknown, is now a Golden Globe in critics choice nominee for best picture.

[Charles Barkley]

Bobby, what do you want to be? Whatever it is they don't want me to be.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Timothee Chalamet astonishes as Bob Dylan in one of the best performances of the year and critics rave. Edward Norton is absolutely fantastic.

[Charles Barkley]

70,000 people are here and Bobby is.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The reason for it.

[Charles Barkley]

They just want me singing, blowing in the wind for the rest of my like life. How does it feel?

[Timothée Chalamet]

Don't miss the movie. Critics are healing. Five stars. It's pure cinematic magic.

[Charles Barkley]

Turn it down.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Pay direction and named to AFI and the National Board of Reviews top 10 films of the year.

[Charles Barkley]

Make some noise BD track. Some mud on the carpet.

[Timothée Chalamet]

A complete unknown. Now playing only in theaters. Rated R. Underscore 1790, middle without parrot.

[Charles Barkley]

You know, it broke my mom's heart. It broke my heart for a long time. I said, yo, man, I don't understand why you gotta do drugs. I just don't get it. And I almost did cocaine one time. Cause, you know, I had put my brother in a bunch of rehabs. And I was like, what's the up with this? And I talked to one of my boys. I says, yo, man, I want you to get me some cocaine. He says, charles, you nuts? I says, man, my brother, he gonna die at some point. And I ain't never had something so strong that I would give up the NBA or my money, saying, you know, I gotta do drugs.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And he knows it's killing him, but he can't stop doing drugs.

[Charles Barkley]

John Lucas, who's a great, great man, he said. He said, chuck, I'm gonna tell you something about a junkie. He says, if I put a million dollars on this table, cash and a pile of cocaine over there, or crack or whatever you want to say. A junkie would not say, man, I can buy a lot of cocaine with that money. He gonna go right for that pile over there. And my brother died. I think he was 40 when he died. He got his life together. He got his life together, but he had done so much damage to his body, and it just gave out. And when I talked to these kids, I said, yo, man, it ain't a matter if. It's just a matter of when. If you doing this drug thing, somebody in your family gonna get a call one night that it's over and that. I felt so bad for my mom. Cause she never got over it. Never got over it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You come out the NBA, the 1994 draft. Now, there have been. I mean, 84 draft. The 84 draft. Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Charles Barkleykeem Olajuw. The first three were hall of Fame. I mean, I think he went first.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Jordan went third. Sam Boy went second. Y'all had hall of Famers. The 85 draft. Karl Malone, Patrick Ewings, Chris Mullins, Charles Oakley, Joe Dumars, 87, David Robinson, Reggie Miller, Scotty Miller, Scotty Pippen, Horace Grant, Mark Jackson, Mugsy Bowl, 96 draft. Kobe, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Allen Ivers, Allen Iverson's. Stephon Marvor, Derek Fisher. And obviously the 2003 draft. LeBron D. Wade, Chris Boss Mello, all Hall of Fame. What's the best draft?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, I don't know if you can say who's the best draft. You know, I'll give you an example why I say that. Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, they're in the conversation of the greatest quarterbacks ever. And Pat Mahomes on it's ascending. Yeah, those guys ain't never gonna be near the record books in five to 10 years. And they're some of the best to ever do it, arbiter ever to do it. The games have changed, the rules have changed. Doesn't make better or worse, it's just different.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Should we consider that when we talking about greatness because of the rule change in football?

[Charles Barkley]

I think you have to like I don't care who think about this. There's probably going to be 10 quarterbacks in the next five years that's going to shatter all the records. And they're going to be one third to player. Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, those guys going to be. They probably think about it in 10, 15 years, not probably won't even be that long. They won't even be in the top 10 yardages and touchdown passes because the rules have changed and it's obviously just now number one, they're going to pass it. Yeah, more. A lot more. But also defense is a handicap right now also. So all the players you mentioned are great, great, great. But it is just a lot easier to play basketball because I tell people, Michael, I played when you played them boys from the Pistons, we used to always say call your family, tell them you love them and goodbye. Cause there was a chance you wasn't gonna make it out. They were trying to hurt people. They had six guys who used their files. You know what's so crazy? When I was watching that the documentary the Last Dance, some of those fouls would get you suspended for 10 games today.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh absolutely.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And it was just one foul back then.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. Bill Laimbeer. Bill Laimbeer would have been out of the league for at 30, at least 30 games. Cuz he was deliberate with his. Ain't no hiding it or nothing.

[Charles Barkley]

The same thing with Mahorn, John Salad, Dennis Rodman. I mean think about you go back and Lambir all the guys. So the rules have changed. They're not like I say, I don't ever say things are better.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

But all these guys are great. And I was blessed to play in a generation because the two most important figures in NBA history or Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

If it wasn't for those two guys and Reese had something to do with that. Yes, Reese has something to do with that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Drew a line.

[Charles Barkley]

It drew a line. But it's still the best thing ever happened to the NBA.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It is.

[Charles Barkley]

Because before then, the average salary then was $200,000 when magic and Bird came in. Cause first of all, it was too black, too thuggish, too drug infest and we were tape delayed.

[Shannon Sharpe]

People don't realize that.

[Charles Barkley]

They don't even know that NBA Finals.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Was on tape delayed.

[Charles Barkley]

And Shannon, you got one game a week on Sunday.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You did, I remember you got one.

[Charles Barkley]

Game a week on Sunday. And people now you can go, you can watch a game seven days a week. We own all the games. All the games. I said, no, you don't understand this. And like I say, it was a long time ago. But think about it. The finals were tape delayed and There was only one game on Sunday and the average salary was $200,000. The average salary now is $10 million. We got, what's gonna be crazy, we got three NBA players, I think three or four making $60 million a year. In the next five years we're gonna have guys making 70, 80, 90 million.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Luka will probably be first.

[Charles Barkley]

It's gonna be craz 80 a year to play basketball.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Good.

[Charles Barkley]

And what's crazy, Shannon, this is how old I am. I remember vividly. Me, Doc Moses, Bobby Johnson, Andrew Toney. We were in the locker room one day and it broke that Maddie Johnson had been the first NBA player to make a million dollars. We were walking around high fiving each other. We could not believe, we could not believe that an NBA player made a million dollars. And I'm like, and I'm with Doc and Moses now, who are all time greats. They're high fiving each other. They're like, we can't believe an NBA player making a million dollars. That's how crazy it was thinking about money back in the day.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow. It says it was reported that you didn't want to go to Philly so bad that in a 48 hour span you ate two Denny Grand Slam breakfasts, six pancakes, bacon, totaling about 1600 calories, a vanilla milkshake, Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, half the menu at Red Lobster, two McDonald's fish filets, large fries, I don't know why the hell you had a diet Coke to wash.

[Charles Barkley]

It down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Two Texas sized barbecue sandwiches, a T bone steak, baked potato, three desserts, repeated it for the next day, gained 20 pounds. Also while drinking. What the hell, you could have killed yourself. You could have went to a Food coma.

[Charles Barkley]

I could have been poor, too. No. So, you know, they had a really hard cap, right? So I'm with my agent. So, you know, you do your visits.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

The owner of the 76 and says, Put me on the scale. I'm weighing about 295. This is about a month before the draft. He says, you know, we're concerned about your weight. I says, well, well, I'm gonna get in shape. I think I'm whatever, blah, blah, blah. He said, we want you to weigh. We want you to lose ten pounds. We want you to come in a day to draft stop in Philly on your way to New York for the draft. So I go train for a month down in Houston. I think at the time, I'm weighing about 282, 283 somewhere in there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I don't know if that's gonna happen in a month.

[Charles Barkley]

No, I got down, it was only like 12 pounds.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, he wanted you to get to 280. Okay, okay. You 282.

[Charles Barkley]

He says, we want you to get to 285.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

So I go down to Houston and train for a month. And I'm like, 282. And we get on the scale. He says, now, Chuck, we have a problem. I said, what's the problem? He says, well, the Sixers are over. They're at the cap. They can only give you a one year deal for $75,000. I said, I didn't leave college for $75,000. Are y'all crazy? He says, well, I don't know what to tell you. He says, sixers want to take you. I said, I don't want to. I said, I didn't leave college for one year for 75,000. What if I get hurt, right? I'm trying to take care of my family. Set my family up for financial. For life.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

He says, well, if the Sixers drafted, you're going to have to sign a one year deal for 75,000. I said, what can we do? He says, well, we're stopping in Philly on the way to New York, man. We went right to Denny's. I got a grand slam. I canceled workouts for the next two days. I got me a grand slam. We went out, I got me some shakes, went to a big steakhouse the night before, got me the big T bone, got me some fries, got me a big old piece of cake. Did the same thing the next day. I get back to Philly. We stop. I'm 298. The owner team called Me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What the. What the.

[Charles Barkley]

Me and my agents look at each other like, whew, thank God. We dodged a bullet. And if you go back and look at my face tonight of the draft and that sweet burgundy suit, I might add, man, when they said, with the number five pick, the 76 select, Charles Barkley, the look on my face, I'm in shock. And I'm thinking, damn, I Left College for $75,000. I gotta be the biggest fool in the world. And so we go down to Philly and he says, you know, go to the summer league. And I said, well, I got no choice. So I go to summer league and I start just whooping. I do. I was like, I got this. And he says, okay, we're gonna trade some players. Cause we're not gonna make you sign a one year deal. And they traded Franklin Edwards and I think Mark Ivorone. And my first year, my first deal was four years, $2 million.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You was on the court when Doc and Larry got into it. What caused that?

[Charles Barkley]

Man, first of all, I hate the NBA. For that reason, they owe me $5,000. I'm still pissed to this day because the one thing I would never do right is hold a guy for another guy to hit him. And I've been mad. I'm still mad this day. Y'all owe me $5,000. Adam Silver. So Larry Bird was a great trash talker. And he's like, charles, y'all better get this old man off me, I'm telling you. And he's just roasting Doc. Yeah, he's like. And this was Doc last year. I think he was right there. It was either last year or the year before. He's killing Doc, and he's like, chuck, I'm telling you for the last time, you better get over here. Cause I'm gonna kill this old man. And it goes on up and down. And he. Larry just killing him. And Doc had just had enough. And I just had. They come together and I just kind of grabbed Larry. I'm not even looking at Doc. When I went back and looked at the tape, Doc was nailing his. I was just trying to pull guys apart.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, but you know, you can't ever fight. You can't grab one unless somebody grabbed you and you grab him.

[Charles Barkley]

I grabbed Larry. Cause I didn't want him hitting Doc.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But ain't nobody grabbed Doc.

[Charles Barkley]

I know, I know, but. But you just said something. If I grab Doc and Larry saw a pummeling, I can't go back to Philly, right? I can't go Back to Philly. So I grabbed Larry to stop him from hitting Doc. And Doc welling away. But Doc. It started because Doc was like. Larry's like, yo, man, y'all better get. And he's screaming it too. Everybody can hear it. Y'all better get this old man off me. I'm gonna kill him out here. Larry's one. Oh, I tell you. Larry Bird was one of the best trash talkers ever. So one of my teammates, Leon Wood, was a great. He's an NBA official now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes, he.

[Charles Barkley]

So we in the room getting ready for the three point contest at an All Star game. Larry walks in, says, which one of y'all gonna come in second place? Y'all heard me? Which one of y'all gonna come in second place? I was like, damn, that was like my first real talk to him. Ooh, that sounded pretty aggressive. He won, though. He won. I mean, he was one of the best at trash talking, man. He. When he came in there and said that, you could have heard a pin drop. Everybody's all excited and everything.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Everybody was geek.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. With geek. Larry walk in and say, which one of y'all gonna come in the same place? Second place. You could have heard a pin drop.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You probably played. When you look at the era in which you played. Magic Bird, Kareem.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Michael Elijah, Patrick Robinson.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What was that era like? Because that was the. That that era made it possible for this era. And I don't know if this era give that era enough credit. And maybe that era doesn't give this era enough credit.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, that's a great question. We should always give credit to the guys who came before us, Correct? Always. Because if it wasn't for those guys, nobody. Y'all making this money because y'all were born at the right time. You're not better than Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird. Right. Kareem Wilt, Bill Russell. You're not better than those guys.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Let me ask you this, but let me push back those guys. But I'm saying average. If you look at the teams now, guys are more skilled. You have more guys that can shoot the equivalent of Reggie and Larry.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. On a team. Just be appreciative of that generation. Okay. I got number love for these young guys because number one, they're great.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

But they should always have great appreciation for the older guys because those guys did all the heavy lifting. It's kind of like being black, in my opinion. I have so much love for older black people.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Absolutely.

[Charles Barkley]

Because I don't know what it's like for people to spray me with a water hose or tell me we're taping this in the Four Seasons. We couldn't have been here.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Nope.

[Charles Barkley]

They said, take your black up to the Motel 6 and do this interview. Like, if you can't. Every time I meet an older black person. Again, example, one of my mentor was Jill Morgan, okay? He called his dad one day, he said, dad, we gonna meet Jackie Robinson tomorrow. He said, what do I say? He says, just tell him thank you. And I think every time I meet an older black person, I wanna say thank you. Because y'all did all the heavy lifting. Y'all did all the heavy lifting.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What they had to endure.

[Charles Barkley]

Ugh. And I can't even imagine, like, I can go into any restaurant I want to.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Anyone want.

[Charles Barkley]

I can stay at any hotel I want to. I don't even know what it's like when people say, well, you can't stay here or get to the back of the bus.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Back of the bus. Or the movie theaters. I'm old enough to remember the movie theaters. The black set up top. Yeah, you couldn't sit down low. Yeah, I'm old enough. I do remember that.

[Charles Barkley]

And that's. And so that's. And so the analogy of every basketball player today, just say, yo, man, I want to thank you. Not even me, right? Because I made a good living. But every time I meet an older guy, I'm like, yo, man, thank you for what you did for me. But every time I meet Magic and Bird, I tell them, guys, man, thank y'all. Because. Because in sports, there are a lot of great players, but there's only a few guys who move the needle.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

Like in golf, there are a lot of great players today, but Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, filmmakers, and Tiger woods, those guys took the sport to a whole nother level. Like, there are a lot of great players, but very few players are like, oh, I gotta watch that guy on television. We need to do the TV deal because of that guy. And all you want from any generation is number one, leave it better correct. Like, I'm disappointed in these guys today with this low management.

[Jenny Garth]

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[Joanna Teplin]

Sponsored by FutureHealth Thursday on ABC. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens Joanna Teplin and Clee Shearer as they hit the road on a mission to transform the lives of deserving families whose stories will truly touch your heart. With the help of the design team Arion Belizarre and Wendell Holland, they have just four days a race against time to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Get ready for those heartfelt moments filled with tears of joy as Joanna and CLE dive deep into the emotional journeys of these families, uncovering their struggles and beginning the healing process. It's not just about remodeling homes. It's about rebuilding hope one family at a time. So don't miss out on this incredible journey. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu. You won't want to miss it.

[Charles Barkley]

We have one more act for you this evening. I don't even need to say his name.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Mr. Bob Dylan, a complete unknown, is now a Golden Globe in critics choice nominee for best picture.

[Charles Barkley]

Bobby, what do you want to be? Whatever it is they don't want me to be.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Timothy Chalamet astonishes as Bob Dylan in one of the best performances of the year and critics rave. Edward Norton is absolutely fantastic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

70,000 people are here and Bobby is the reason for it.

[Charles Barkley]

They just want me singing, blowing in the wind for the rest of my life.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Don't miss the movie. Critics are healing. Five stars. It's pure cinematic magic.

[Charles Barkley]

Turn it down. Hey, loud.

[Timothée Chalamet]

And named to AFI and the National Board of Reviews top 10 films of the year.

[Charles Barkley]

Make some noise, BD track some mud on the carpet.

[Timothée Chalamet]

A complete unknown. Now playing only in theaters. Rated R under 1790 middle without parent.

[Charles Barkley]

How's it yo, man. First of all, we're not teachers, we're not nurses, we're not in the service. People who work like hard every day. Yeah, but we play a stupid basketball game for three or four days a week. You're not gonna play more than three or four days a week. You're gonna make 30, 40 million, 60 million. I'm pretty sure the nurse don't wanna go to work sometime.

[Shannon Sharpe]

She can't load manage.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, she can't. I'm pretty sure teachers can't load manage I says, man, just play basketball. You got the best shoes. Can you imagine Bill Russell playing in those canvas shoes?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Chuck Taylor's.

[Charles Barkley]

Chuck Taylor's. Can you imagine? Can you imagine?

[Shannon Sharpe]

No support.

[Charles Barkley]

No support. And they played every game for $3,000 a year. And you can't just like. Of course you're sore. I'm pretty sure doctors and nurses are sore. But, man, just. Just to be appreciative of how lucky and blessed we are to do something stupid and make a gazillion dollars.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How different would your career have been if you weren't drafted and played in the era of Michael Jordan? Do you want a title?

[Charles Barkley]

That's a great question. I don't know, but I'm glad I played in his era because, number one, you want to play a great player, the greatest. Or, you know, it's a debate between him and LeBron. Some people still think, Kareem, you want to play in that. Because, number one, what Michael did, going back to what you talking about, have respect for the older generation. If it weren't for Michael, we wouldn't. I wouldn't make millions of dollars from Nike a year, right? LeBron, Kobe would make millions of dollars from Nike a year. If it wasn't for Michael Jordan. We all wouldn't have commercials. People act like athletes always did commercials. No, number one, none of us had a shoe deal until Michael. None of us shot commercials until Michael. So whether you want to debate who's the greatest, that guy is the reason we make. That's the reason I think about this. When I was in. It was really fun in that movie air because, I mean, I'm technically in the movie because me and Michael in the same generation, his mom and dad having the forethought to say, he gonna get a piece of the shoe, right? And then Matt Damon, who plays Sonny, says, well, we don't do it like that. Ms. Jordan said, yeah, we do it like that. And because of that, I made millions of dollars from Nike just from. And also from my significant shoe. So I lost to Michael Jordan. It would have been great. And the only thing I ever felt bad about, trying to be honest with you, I couldn't win the 76ers, not the 76, the Suns of championship, because in Philly, they had one. In Houston, they had one. I have always felt bad that I wasn't able to bring a championship to Phoenix because that's my home they gave me. When I got traded there, my life just changed dramatically because, man, all I wanted was some help. Because when you're a great player, man. It's hard to go out there, you know? Cause there's a couple things that happened to me that. Really. Cause I was getting so depressed in Philly. Cause I was saying to myself, damn, I suck as a basketball player. I says, we never. Well, I says, we get beat in the first round every year. And I'm like, I know I'm great, but our team wasn't very good. But I'm like, yo, man. And I'm having my private moments. I'm talking to my friends. I'm like, man, am I not good at basketball? I think I'm great. Blah, blah, blah. And then when they called me for the Dream Team, I was like, damn, I am pretty good, right? I'm like, I am good. Thank you. Thank you. And then when I got traded to Phoenix, they gave me Dan Marley and Kevin Johnson and Mark west and those guys. I'm like. Because when I got there that first day, I said, guys, I think I'm the best basketball player in the world. We're gonna play the Bulls for the championship. Michael Jordan just has some more help. I'm just as good as him. They look at me like I'm crazy. They're like, what? I says, I think I'm the best basketball player in the world. Y'all gonna find out right now. Cause we gonna go out here and start kicking some ass, right? I told him that the first day. And there was a turning point in the season. And I know Michael well. We got off to a good start. We played the Bulls, and he just kick our. And I was saying to myself, he know we gonna play them in the finals. He wanted to send us a message. So after the game, I told him. I said, guys, we gotta get better. That guy sent me a message tonight. And I didn't like the message, but I received it. Yeah, I received it. And then we went on, like a 12, 13 game winning streak. Finished with the best record in the NBA. Get to the finals. And I said, I get the chance to prove my point. And I'll tell you, Shannon, that's the first time in my life I felt like. I said, damn, that guy's better at basketball than me. Because I had my chance. A showdown at the OK Corral. And so, no, I was. It was an honor. Same thing I say. But Bird and Magic, Kareem, it was just a great time.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The Dream Team, let's clear this up. The Dream Team was supposed to take the best 11 NBA players. Well, the best 12 players, they ended up taking 11 NBA players. And they took Christian Laitner.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

A lot of people believe that Isaiah Thomas was one of the best 11 NBA players. A lot of people believe Charles, he was better than John Stockton.

[Charles Barkley]

I think he was a better player than John Stockton.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, then why didn't he get to go on the team?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, you know, Shannon, number one, that is an amazing question because I'm so glad I get a chance to straighten this out.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes, please, straighten it out.

[Charles Barkley]

Number one, they never asked me about Isaiah Thomas, okay? And it just came out. And I can't speak for the other guys, but they never asked me personally about Isaiah Thomas. And Isaiah Thomas probably should have been on the team. And they asked Michael Jordan, did he have anything to do with it? And then it actually just came out in the last year where he said, I'll play as long as Isaiah don't play. So.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And then you got to have him. If you're going overseas, you got to take the biggest guy.

[Charles Barkley]

So I don't know this personally, but I think it was Jack McCallum who said he had it on tape and he played it. Because I've been asked that question a thousand times. Dude. They never asked me about Isaiah Thomas, but apparently Michael didn't want him on the team.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, he wasn't gonna be on the team.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, whoever Michael didn't want on the.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Team was gonna be on the team.

[Charles Barkley]

They were not gonna be on the team. But I will tell you something, man, I've been so lucky and blessed in my life. Ain't nothing like the Olympics, right? It's the most cool event that I've ever been to. We had no idea how big it was going to be when we got there. Because I tell people that was probably a 12 foot window, maybe 15ft where they could see us get on the bus. Man, it was five to 10,000 people out there every day. Just to get a glimpse of us mainly, obviously Michael, Magic and Bird, even though Bird wasn't playing, but they would just scream to watch these guys walk. And then when we took off, there was a helicopter above the bus. There was a police car in front, police car in back. There was two guys on motorcycles and one on the back had, on the back of. Had a machine gun. There was people along the highway holding up signs. It was. And we, we like, whoa, this is some real here. This is the real deal. And we were like, yeah, man, this is.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did you know it would be this big?

[Charles Barkley]

Not even close. Nobody did. We had no idea. We like, I mean, because first of all, you know We. We never really experienced anything like that, Right. And then we were like, whoa, this a big deal. I mean, people on the highway holding up signs, hundreds of them, right? But when we walk by, say, when we walk out every day to go to the game, it was five to 10,000 people. They were like 50 yards away and they could only see us walk like 12 to 15ft. But they were screaming. It was crazy, but it's the most. But being at the Olympics itself was such a cool. And I tell people when they're playing that national anthem, and me and Bird.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Matthew, all the guys overseas and they play in the national.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And we, like, we're all getting goosebumps. I mean, it was surreal.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You do realize what you guys did is that you birthed an era. The Nikola Jokic's, the Luka Doncic. Those guys came. They probably wasn't born then, but their parents and people and coaches, they saw that. The dirt and the viscous.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, the page.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because at the time, if I'm not mistaken, the only guy that I can remember in that era was like, Sabonis, I think Paja.

[Charles Barkley]

Yep.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Serena's, Marcelona's. There were only a handful. It's not littered, like, and I don't mean that in a negative term, but it wasn't the influx of foreign European players like it is now.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, shout out to the great late David Stern. I think that was his vision, to be honest, to make the game international, right? And when I. It was really funny. Like, the first time I met Dirt Nowitzki, he was like 18. And we. We're overseas, this is a Nike trip. And he's got like 30 at halftime. And I got like Scottie Pippen and some other. We got like. Nike was always ahead of the curve, taking us to foreign countries to play. Dirt's got like 30. And Scotty was like one of the best defenders in the world. He's like, I got him, I got him. Dirk got finished like 50 something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You ain't got his guy.

[Charles Barkley]

And I said, yo, man, who the hell are you? And he got that dick German. My name is dirt Navisti. I'm 18. I said, 18, did you want to go to Auburn? I says, just name your price, we're good. He's like, what? He said, I want you to go to my college. I said, hey. Told the Nike guys get this information. They called me back a week later. No. Cause then he said something. He says, I gotta go in the Army. I said, yo, man, you see him? Pete talk. Not going in the Damn army. You're not going in the army. Nobody gonna have no 7 foot person in the army. And I, and they called me back like a month later, said Chuck, you know, they changed the rules now he gonna go in the draft. I said, okay. And you know, people don't even realize this. You know, he didn't get drafted by the Mavs, he got drafted by Milwaukee.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

And I hate to say this, and I apologize to his family. It's probably gonna go down. One of the worst trades in NBA history. Cause they traded for Robert Tractor Traylor.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You did.

[Charles Barkley]

And Traylor was a nice kid, rest in peace. But that's probably gonna go down. That's a bad trade. Cause Dirks up until to Joker he was the greatest foreign player ever.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

And when the Joker finished, you were taking him over.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Elijah Juan as foreign born player.

[Charles Barkley]

You know, I kind of look at it different because, because you look at.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Akeem did play on American soil for.

[Charles Barkley]

A number of years. Yeah, these guys came straight from over to the NBA. Shout out to Akeem. It was an honor and privilege to play with him also. But listen, by the time Yoki just.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The best foreign born player. Yes, it's over. He done pass dirt. He passed dirt.

[Charles Barkley]

It's over. Listen, because you know, I, they might, I think they're gonna win this thing again.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did you think? I remember watching him, I fought his career since he's obviously I played in Denver and I've been following him and I watched him in the bubble in 2020 and I watched Anthony Davis gave it to him.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. But now it's over.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He's on a different Chuck. Yeah, I mean the guy can give you 30, 20 and 15. Like there's nothing he can't do well offensively.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, what's crazy, like last night, yes, we were making a big deal. Cause Aaron Gordon played fantastic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes, fantastic.

[Charles Barkley]

Jamal Murray played great. And then we were looking at the stats last night. We're like, yo man, The Joker had 24, 15 and nine. That's the easiest. 24, 15 and nine.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And we didn't mention him on 13 shots.

[Charles Barkley]

We did not even mention him. We made a big deal. We interviewed Aaron Garden. Cause he had career highs and points and assists, rebounds. Excuse me. And I was looking at the stats, I said, man, Joker had 24, 15 and 9. And it was so quiet, we didn't even talk about it. But you know, you know what? There's two interesting stories in the NBA that people never talk about. Steph Curry, Joker. If people, you talk about people who Deserve their job and people who should get fired. You know that when the Golden State warriors had to make a big decision between Steph Curry and Monte Ellis.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

And most people got mad. They traded Montay because Steph was always hurt. Hurt. And same thing with Joker and Nurkic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yep.

[Charles Barkley]

They were like, y'all should keep Nurkic instead of the Joker. And you think about how different. One guy got four championships and he's one of the greatest players in NBA history. And this guy's gonna be.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He gotta be about to get his 30th defeat.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Possibly another race. Those that you talk about changing the entire dynamics of your franchise of history. That's amazing. Like, we made the right decision and.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yolk win the second round.

[Charles Barkley]

I know, I know. But they had to make that decision.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

And the same thing. Because they knew that Monta Ellis and Steph. That you can't play two little guards like that. And people were mad on both accounts. That's how crazy this. This life is.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Chuck the athletic had a pole. And this guy has been winning most overrated for like the last five years. And that's Rudy Gobert. Why does Rudy get so much flack?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, I think that we don't respect defensive players. You know, I love espn. Love espn. We don't show block shots unless it's Anthony Edwards.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That shot.

[Charles Barkley]

Block shots.

[Shannon Sharpe]

LeBron chase down.

[Charles Barkley]

LeBron chase down. We never show defense. We show guys making shots and dunking like ESPN is amazing. Don't get me wrong. But in a two hour game, they show you a minute, maybe a minute. I doubt if they highlights of the game last longer than a minute.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

They ain't showing Rudy Gobert blocking shots or changing shots. Wendy.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Now, Wendy, we showing WIMBY blocking.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, yeah. Because. But, but they gonna show him making threes and taking the ball behind his back and everything.

[Jenny Garth]

Hey, it's Jenny Garth. Did you know that Future Health, the best online weight loss program, is giving millions of people access to affordable weight loss meds for less than $3 a day? Just go to try FH.com and take their quick 3 minute survey to get started. Try FH.com find out if weight loss meds are right for you. Try FH.com Try FH.com Future Health is not a healthcare service provider. Meds are prescribed at providers discretion. Results may vary. Sponsored by Future Health.

[Joanna Teplin]

Thursday on abc. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover home edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens Joanna, Teplin and Cleish here as they hit the road on a mission to transform the lives of deserving families whose stories will truly touch your heart. With the help of the design team Arion Belizarre and Wendell Holland, they have just four days a race against time to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Get ready for those heartfelt moments filled with tears of joy as Joanna and CLE dive deep into the emotional journeys of these families, uncovering their struggles and beginning the healing process. It's not just about remodeling homes. It's about rebuilding hope one family at a time. So don't miss out on this incredible journey. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu. You won't want to miss it.

[Charles Barkley]

We have one more act for you this evening. I don't even need to say his name.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Mr. Bob Dylan, a complete unknown, is now a Golden Globe in critics choice nominee for best picture.

[Charles Barkley]

Bobby, what do you want to be? Whatever it is they don't want me to be.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Timothy Chalamet astonishes as Bob Dylan in one of the best performances of the year and critics rave. Edward Norton is absolutely fantastic. Fantastic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

70,000 people are here and Bobby is the reason for it.

[Charles Barkley]

They just want me singing blowing in the wind for the rest of my life.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Don't miss the movie. Critics are healing. Five stars. It's pure cinematic magic.

[Charles Barkley]

Turn it down. Pay loud.

[Timothée Chalamet]

And named to AFI and the national board of reviews. Top 10 films of the year.

[Charles Barkley]

Make some noise BD track some mud on carpet.

[Timothée Chalamet]

A complete unknown now playing only in theaters. Rated R under 1790 middle without parrot.

[Charles Barkley]

But you know, we don't show defensive defensive players like you. Think about it. In the NFL we talk about the Bozer brothers, Michael Parsons we own. We very seldom talk about defensive players.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

Because defense isn't pretty. Like unless Michael Parsons making a sack or something at one of Bosa brothers Hutchinson in Detroit. Aaron Donald, who's amazing. Shout out to Aaron Donald, man, it's been an honor and a privilege to watch you play. But we only show offense. Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because now it's an offensive era. You don't have. They don't let you play football like they had when they had buckets and they had LT Ray Lewis or the running lines that were decapitating people out there. They don't want to show that side of the game because they're trying to clean it up and say, look, look, we trying to stay away from, you know, we want to make the game safer. But you want to see all these one handed. You're going to see every one handed catch that happens on Sunday. You're going to see that.

[Charles Barkley]

You're going to see that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The greatest. This is the greatest player of all time. It seems to be a two man race now. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, nothing. Hey, Kareem. Kareem is the most underrated player in the history of the NBA.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. He's the.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He was the all time leading scorer, the third lead rebounder. He won six MVPs, five championships. And that make it seem like the man was some sauce.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, well, I got numbered. Admiration for Kareem, first of all. The activist he's always been.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

You know, I find the. Let's talk about the Michael LeBron thing. They played in different eras. They're the. In my opinion, they're right there. You can. It's either A or B.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

But I would say this about LeBron. Number one. I like him a lot as a person. I think he's a nice guy. Never said that about Michael Jordan. He'll kill you. He'll kill you. I've said there's two things. I put Kobe right there also. But Michael and Kobe will kill you. LeBron's a nice guy. Right. Michael and Kobe will kill you. If they played against their sister, she gonna get her kicked. LeBron like, he ain't gonna beat up his sister. But I would say this about LeBron. I think it's the greatest story of any jock who's ever lived. Because if you go back and look about guys who came out of high school, people forget Kobe struggled early.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He did.

[Charles Barkley]

Kevin Garnett struggled early. LeBron James is the only one. Cause we had his first game. I say LeBron James, the only one who didn't struggle right away.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

He came in and was a good player. He wasn't great, great, great right away, but he was a good player.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

But also in this generation where everybody's got a cell phone and people out to get you, he's never gotten in trouble. He exceeded what expectations? Any expectations.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Whatever you thought he could be.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because he was on. He was the chosen one on the COVID of Sports Illustrated. 17. So whatever you thought he could be.

[Charles Barkley]

He'S just eclipsed it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He's eclipsed it.

[Charles Barkley]

And to never get in trouble in this generation, like I say, you know, everybody's got a cell phone now. People are deliberately trying to get you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

I think it's the Greatest sports story ever in my opinion.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Single mom, didn't go to college. They gave the keys to the franchise to an 18 year old kid and says, we're only going to go as far as you take us. And like you said, he's been a model citizen both on and off. Obviously the building, the brand Jordan gave you gave everybody the blueprint. And we see Kevin Durant, we see the Steph Curry, we see the LeBron James starting production company being active outside. Give Junior Bridgman some credit too. People don't know who they.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, well, every time I see Junior, I say thank you. Because Magic is kind of taking over now. Oh yes, but Junior was a good player. But his portfolio, owning all those restaurants, probably being the first billionaire athlete, to be honest with you. Him, Dave being also is amazing businessman. But every time I see Junior Bridgman, like for a guy who didn't make.

[Shannon Sharpe]

A ton of money, that's what's so impressive. And didn't have the name, didn't have.

[Charles Barkley]

The name to learn how to handle business. And he's probably got 500 to 1,000 restaurants now. And like, does it so low key. Does it so low key. Like every time around here I try to pick his brain because the one like it's different now because these guys make so much money. Yeah. I said back in our day, you. I says, dude. And I'm not poo pooing on this either. I wanna make it clear. Cause you know when I say it, it's gonna sound stupid. The most money I made was $5 million. That was my last year.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

I says, now that's below the minimum. I says to be a businessman in our day and become a billionaire. You are great at business.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right?

[Charles Barkley]

You are great at business.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And he wasn't a name. People wanted to attach themselves to Magic.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

People wanted to attach themselves to Mike.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He was Junior Bridgman, just a great.

[Charles Barkley]

Businessman and a good dude. His to me is one of the greatest stories ever. And if I was the NBA, I would bring him in every year to my teams. Teams and say guys, because what people don't understand, everybody on an NBA team or NFL team ain't making a lot of money. True. Or ain't gonna play a lot of years. 10, 15, the average in both sports, the average year is about four years. Those are guys who need a Junior Bridgman. That's like, you know, I was watching the draft last night and this always annoys me about young kids. I was just like, these dudes got Louis Vuitton shirts iced out. And I don't mind a little ice, but too much ice. They got Dior shoes. I says, they do know that money ain't gonna last forever, right? Get you a pair of Nikes. I'm not paying for no Dior shoes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But you gotta be nice. Cause you had that cranberry suit on. You were nice, Chuck, with that little skinny tie.

[Charles Barkley]

There's nothing wrong with a nice suit. But I tell these guys, you know, Shannon, when I first was an idiot, when I became. Got my money, yeah, I had like three or four cars. And Dr. G says, how many of those cars can you drive at the same time? I said, what do you mean? He says, how many of those cars you gotta drive at the same time? I says, one. He says, well, why you got four? He said, chuck, this money got to last you for the rest of your life. He says, this money gotta last you the rest of your life. He says, son, don't waste all your money on cars. Everybody know who you are. He said, if you pull up in a Kia, they know, oh, that's Charles Barkley. You pull up in a Mercedes Benz or a Roll Royce, that's Charles Barkley. But the problem is that money. It's not the fact that you can't afford that car, right? It's the fact that that $300,000 you spent on that Bentley, if you bought a car for 70, 80,000, you would have had 200,000 more in the bank. And it would have been growing and growing. And in one year, three years, five years, 20 years, that 200,000 is going to be worth a lot more.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The question is, Charles, is that when you. I tell. Sometimes I tell young people, you can afford that car right now at 20, will you be able to afford that car at 60?

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, that's the key. There's a 40 year gap in there. But see, the young guys, they think, like I always tell them. I said, yo, man, we know stuff we like. I ain't trying to hate on no young guy. I'm trying to. Cause I don't want you to be on that list. What list is that? 80% of professional athletes go broke. I don't want you on that list.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Where are they now?

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, well, like, yo, this money. You're 20. When you 55, how much money are you gonna have left? That's the key.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Especially living. Like, if you live in a lifestyle right now, don't you want to live that lifestyle for the rest of your life? I mean, I don't want to be Poor. I've been poor. Hey, I know what it's like to eat raccoon, possum, sardines, vina sausages, pig ears, pigtails, pig feet. I don't want to eat that no more, Chuck. Unless I want to. I don't want to have to eat it out of necessity.

[Charles Barkley]

Hey, well, listen, I got to have my pig feet.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You still eat pig feet?

[Charles Barkley]

I do. Oh, yeah, I do. I got pig feet. I get them. I go to a great soul food place here called K and K. Okay. I get me some pig ears. Not pig ears, pig feet. Yeah, I gotta have my neck bones.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You see? I love some neck bones. Oxtails.

[Charles Barkley]

Oh, oxtails. That's their specialty. I love me some oxtails. Yeah, he gotta get some yams. You gotta get some collets. I mean, but I. You know, when I, like I said, I started and I tell him, I said, yo, man, I've been in your situation. I wasted money on cars. And then you're like, oh, man. Cause when you waste money on cars, you're really just trying to impress other people.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

That's what you're doing. That's like, when I used to have nice cars, they said, what kind of rims you gonna put on it? I said, what do you mean? They're like, put some rims on it. I said, so if I put rims on it, I'm really trying to impress other people, because I actually can't see the rims while I'm in the car. That's what I told him. I said, you know, I can't see the rims when I'm in the car.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

So I'm really. That's what Doc said. He said, so you're really trying to impress other people. You don't have to impress people. They already know who the hell you are.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Is it because, Charles, a lot of us come from single family home. We didn't have anything. And this is the first opportunity because we don't see the other side. They don't.

[Charles Barkley]

I don't.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I don't think Peyton Manning went out and bought a Rolls Royce.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I don't think guys, when they. When they. Obviously, they have nice homes and they. Yeah, but I'm saying. Because all I wanted, I wanted when I was like, man, I'm going, When I saw Miami Vice and I saw that Ferrari, I said, I'm getting me one of them. And Rolex, they talk. I said, I got to get me. So I wanted to, like, that was my way of saying, I've made it Made it, yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

And her met was who? Somebody I really like and admire. He says, you can have one car, you don't need five, you don't need a bunch of houses. No, he says, I live by the one model. You need one that's good enough. And like I say, and the young black kids, and I'm talking to them, man, save your money.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

And another thing, you don't have to take care of all your family and friends. For some reason, black people, myself included, I used to be like, my financial people told me, why are you taking care of seven, eight people? I'm like, well. He said, no, no, no, no, you don't have to take care of everybody, right, because you're gonna go broke, you know, so no, I tell these young kids, yo, man, if you want to do something nice for your mom and dad, you want to do something nice for a brother or sister, that's fine. They don't have to be on the payroll. You don't like, no, you don't owe them. That was their job to take care of you. But if you want to do something nice for them, that's fine. Grant Hill, his mom, yeah, rest in peace, gave me the best advice ever. I said, because we were at the Olympics actually here in Atlanta in 96, and her and Calvin had came down for a couple games. They said, well, Chuck, we gonna be here a couple days and we gotta get back to work. And I says, grant just signed the first hundred million dollar contract in NBA history. She says, sit your. I said, Ms. Hill, he says, charles, I'm gonna just give you some advice. Do not start taking care of your family and friends, because number one, they never gonna stop and it's gonna ruin all your relationships. I said, what do you mean? He says, when you start giving people money, they're never gonna ask you for money. One time, right? But she said, the second thing is, no matter what you do for them, the first time you tell them no, they hate you. And I said, what? And I had to learn. People I have been giving money to, the first time I told them no, they like, no, no, no, we're not friends anymore. That was a tough and painful lesson for me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It absolutely is. Because that's why you have to put limits on what you give. Because they'll never put limits on what they take.

[Charles Barkley]

That's exactly right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But it's like that with anything, Charles. You and I can go out here right now, we can sign 25,000 autographs. But if we don't sign 25,001. And Shanah, sharpen chalk Barkley.

[Charles Barkley]

So. But I had to learn that, too. I'll sign some autographs, but I'm like, yo, I'm done. You okay? I'm good. It don't affect me anymore. Because, you know, like I said somebody said earlier, everybody wants to be liked.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

Because everybody here, guys, are. Well, I don't care what people think about me. Yes, you do. Stop being. You care. Like, Especially if it's, like, if they don't have a reason. Now, that's different.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right?

[Charles Barkley]

But everybody wants to be like. But you can't make everybody happy. Like I say, after games, I would stop and sign. I had a rule. I signed 10. There's 20 people. I said, guys, I gotta go get something to eat. I'm sorry. I said, I'm gonna sign 10. That's it. And they're saying some stuff when you leave. But you like, okay, we're good. I don't feel bad. I signed 10. I did what I was supposed to do. I'm gonna keep it moving.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Who's your MVP this year?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, there's five guys I think you can vote for and feel like you ain't screwing anybody.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Shay Gilders.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Cause they got the best record in the West. Joker, Jalen Bronson, Ant Edwards and Luka. I think you. Because the one thing I will say ESPN annoys me about, first of all, they make up these fake stories about MVP. The MVPs never went to the best player. Never. It goes to the best player on the best team. Because nobody in their right mind thinks Steve Nash was better than Shaq and Kobe. But they had the best regular season record. When he won mvp. He deserved it. Steve Nash deserved mvp. Michael Jordan was the best player before he started winning MVPs. But until he started winning, he wasn't gonna get MVPs.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

So I hate that argument. Like I said, if you vote for any of those guys, I was like, that's fair. Like, Derrick Rose wanted one year over LeBron. He deserved it. The Bulls had the best record that year. Was he as good a player as LeBron? No, but they had a better record. The same thing with even kd, who's a great player. He won mvp. They had the best record that year. But it always normally goes, like I said, if you vote for Shay or Luka or Joker. But I actually think what Bronson did this year for the Knicks was incredible.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

To get them to the second seed without Robinson being out most of the year, without Randle, most of the year OG was out for a period of time but what Luca did. So this is, you know, I think me and Magic had the closest vote ever. I think this is one gonna be the closest one ever.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow. Who's your favorite non NBA athlete?

[Charles Barkley]

That's a great question. It depends on the sport. Like in golf right now my favorite player is probably Max Homa. Okay. Because he seems like a great kid.

[Jenny Garth]

Hey, it's Jenny Garth. Did you know that Future Health, the best online weight loss program is giving millions of people access to affordable weight loss meds for less than $3 a day. Just go to tryfh.com and take their quick, quick 3 minute survey to get started, try fh.com find out if weight loss meds are right for you. Try FH.com Try FH.com Future Health is not a healthcare service provider. Meds are prescribed at providers discretion. Results may vary. Sponsored by Future Health.

[Joanna Teplin]

Thursday on abc. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens Joanna Teplin and Clee Shearer as they hit the road on a mission to transform the lives of deserving families whose stories will truly touch your heart. With the help of the design team Arion Belizarre and Wendell Holland, they have just four days a race against time to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Get ready for those heartfelt moments filled with tears of joy as Joanna and Clee dive deep into the emotional journeys of these families, uncovering their struggles and beginning the healing process. It's not just about remodeling homes. It's about rebuilding hope one family at a time. So don't miss out on this incredible journey. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu. You won't want to miss it.

[Charles Barkley]

We have one more act for you this evening. I don't even need to say his name.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Mr. Bopton, a complete unknown, is now a golden globe in critics choice nominee for best picture.

[Charles Barkley]

Bobby, what do you want to be? Whatever it is, they don't want me to be.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Timothy Chalamet astonishes as Bob Dylan in one of the best performances of the year and critics rave. Edward Norton is absolutely fantastic.

[Charles Barkley]

70, 000 people are here and Bobby.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Is the reason for it.

[Charles Barkley]

They just want me singing, blowing in the wind for the rest of my life. How does it feel?

[Timothée Chalamet]

Don't miss the movie. Critics Are Healing. Five stars. It's pure cinematic magic.

[Charles Barkley]

Turn it down. Hey. Loud.

[Timothée Chalamet]

And named to AFI and the national board of reviews top 10 films of the year.

[Charles Barkley]

Make some noise BD track some mud on a carpet.

[Timothée Chalamet]

A complete unknown. Now playing only in theaters. Rated riddle or 1790. Middle without parrot.

[Charles Barkley]

And he tries. He doesn't take himself that serious. In football is Aaron Donald, who just retired. In baseball, it's probably Mike Trout.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

In tennis, Robbie Shelton. I think that's his name. Shelton. I forget there's another golfer named Shelton. I get them confused sometime. But, man, I just love sports because sports, man, I have zero idea where I would be in my life without that stupid little round ball. Because it is. Did so much for me. Like I said, you grew up in a town of a couple thousand people. I have been all over the world. I'm sitting here on Club Shay Shay. Like, if it not for that basketball, it has given me every single thing in my life. I'm so lucky and appreciative because I have, like, I was able to build my mother and grandmother a house. I was able to send my brother's kids to college. I have been. I mean. I mean, I've been all over the world because of the stupid little basketball. And I can make up something where I would be without basketball. But it probably. If I'm real, it damn sure won't be as good. But I don't know if it'll be pretty. Cause I'm not gonna get up here and act like I was a great student. I'd be working somewhere, you know, and, you know, doing something with me. Yeah, but man, that ball, I mean, I'm pretty sure, you know, all the success you've had as a player and in an entertainment industry, like, it's all originated from that. Yeah, it all. Yes. And we're so lucky. Because you know what I tell people all the time, I admire people who got a real job, but I don't want one.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No. Growing up, growing up like how we grew up, Charles. It let me know what I did want to do as an adult. Because if it's back breaking as a child, can you imagine as adult doing that for 12, 14 hours a day?

[Charles Barkley]

And no. And not even making money.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, no.

[Charles Barkley]

I was like. Because people say, what do you think about sometime during the game? I says. I said, when I get tired, I think about, man, if you don't get some energy from somewhere. Nine to five don't sound good. No, nine to five don't sound good at all. I never Want to work nine to five. I mean, I said, I admire people who work now. And especially, like, when you're seeing somebody doing. I shouldn't say this. Doing. Somebody's doing a job.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. You're like, damn, I'm working two jobs.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Well, no, but when I see somebody, like when I'm. When I'm in Phoenix, it's like 115 degrees. And I said, and they working outside, I'm like, oh, hell no. Or you see somebody working in the winter and it's cold, you're like, damn right. I says, whoo. I'm glad I handled my business.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How many more years you think LeBron's gonna play? And can he continue to play? I mean, he averaged 25, 8, and 7 in year 21. How many more years can he play? And how many more years can he be played at the level at which he's currently playing?

[Charles Barkley]

I hope he retires soon because I hated the way I retired. Cause I sucked. Nope. Jim Brown is really. And he retired. Cause he didn't want to get tired of playing football.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And he didn't want to. He wanted to act.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. Because he wasn't making any money.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No.

[Charles Barkley]

And he didn't want to just kill himself. There's no. It ends badly for every jock. It ends badly for every jock.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Getting in is easy. It's the getting out the car.

[Charles Barkley]

And your ego says, you can still do it. Because I remember telling myself my last two years, okay, I'm gonna get myself in great shape this summer. I'm gonna have a good year, then I'm gonna retire. Then I figured out, like, playing against air, everybody's good against air. Everybody is great against air. But when you see another, when that 25 year old is looking at you, like, licking his lips, you're like, oh. And like there's nothing you can do. Like, when you working out during the summer and ain't nobody playing defense on you and you in great shape and. But when you see that 25, 27 year old and he's looking at you like, yep, I used to watch you. I'm coming for you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right?

[Charles Barkley]

And there's nothing you can do about it. But to answer your question, I hope he retires while he can still play. Because, man, I've been there myself. I saw Patrick Ewing, his last legs. Saw Michael Jordan playing with the Wizards.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, Patrick. I mean. I mean, Patrick and Orlando.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, Mike. Yeah. I was like, that's the greatest player I played against. I don't want to see him doing that with the Wizards. So I don't want to see any great play. When they passed that prime, how do you navigate.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because you were a great player. You won mvp. You went. You played, won two gold medals. How do you navigate, Charles, when you offer a critique or criticism of a current NBA great and they shoot back, well, you ain't never won anything. What did you do this and what did you do that?

[Charles Barkley]

That.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How do you navigate that?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, you got to be able to dish it and take it. The one thing I'm really proud of, and I hang my hat on this. I've never been personal with a player.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

I only stick to basketball. I only stick to basketball. I would never come in on a guy's personal life. Now. Sometimes they get in trouble. I have to say something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You have to.

[Charles Barkley]

But I can look at a guy and say, hey, man. Cause I get calls all the time from players and agents. I said, I'll tell you why I said that. And they're like, okay. I said, this is what pissed me off, too. Shannon. Yo, man, why y'all never call me when I said something positive?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Duh, duh, duh, duh.

[Charles Barkley]

I said, wait a minute. I said nine great things about you. Why do you never call me when I say something positive? And I say one critique, and you blow up my phone calling me names. I had this thing with Kobe Bryant one night. So it was a game where he wouldn't shoot, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Against Phoenix. Game seven, I think. Cause your guys told him he was shooting too much.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, he was trying to prove a point. Yes. I ain't got no help. So he went to hold sucking half a child one time, and I. And I came. I said, Ernest said what? I said, man, I'm so disappointed. I'm so disappointed in Kobe. He was trying to prove a point that he didn't have any help. He shot one time in the second half, and, you know, at that time, they were comparing to Michael. I says, michael, when he played against the Celtics, he's like, I got to get 60 something. I'm gonna get it. Whatever. He not gonna pout. Kobe starts texting me, you mother. You mother. I said, yo, man, I'm doing my job. Block you such a. We go back and forth for. So about this time. It's about one in the morning. We go back and forth for, like, two hours. I said, yo, man, pick up the phone and call me. Stop texting. And it was great. We laughed about it later. He was mad at the moment. He understood I was doing my job, but it was so funny. We text each other for two hours, you, Honor. And it was just mother. And I'm just like, I'm not gonna get mad at Dude. That's. Dude, call me, pick up the phone. But it was hilarious. We laughed about it later.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm gonna get you out of here on this, Charles. This is the first time in a very long time that. That people that's in our position have had to comment on the discourse. Sometimes. That's what's going on in America.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We see the Trayvon Martin, we see the George Floyd, we see what happened in Wisconsin. And now all of a sudden, you and I, we have to comment on that. Where when you played and I played, politics, religion, orientation, we talked about that. Maybe mention that in the locker room without the media or without the purview of the public hearing about it. How do you navigate knowing that you came from Alabama, knowing that what goes on in America, that sometimes it's racism, sometimes it's racist. How do you navigate your conversation that you disseminate to the public?

[Charles Barkley]

That's a really good question, because I'm asked that sometime with my boys. The first thing is, it's exhausting being black. Yes, it's exhausting being black. Like, we're trying to live our lives, be successful. Then Trayvon Martin happened. We gotta talk about it. Unfortunately, that was a really awful situation. Then we get back in our routine. Then George Floyd happened. We gotta talk about it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

You know. You know, I was talking to Sam Jackson one time. He, like, he's like, I'm trying to make a movie. They asked me, like. Like, nobody got nominated for an Oscar. So as a black person, something always coming up for me personally is I said I have to, like, take a step back. Because the one thing you can't do is yell and scream. Correct. Because once you yell and scream, they're like, turn it off. Turn it off. And I say, guys, let's have a serious conversation. But I need you to be. I need my girl, Judge Judy. I'm a big Judge Judy fan. She always says, you listen, but you're not hearing me right. I said, I need you to hear me. Don't listen to me, hear me. Those are two different things.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Listen to. Understand.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And I'm not. Hey. And I. And I'm not mad at you, but I need you to understand this is happening. And it's just exhausting being black. Because every time you're trying to do your thing or just live your life, something racist or racial happens. I try to do this one thing. I try to, like, don't ever speak when you're mad. Don't yell and scream, because I know if I yell at you, you're gonna ignore me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

Are you gonna turn me off or ignore me?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yep.

[Charles Barkley]

So for me and you and Stephen and Mike Wilbond, man, I need y'all to trust me, because sometimes people play the race car when it's not playable, because then you become the guy who gonna cry wolf all the time. Right. The one thing I promised TNT when I took this job, because I told him the social stuff is really important to me. It's really important to me. Right. I said, I won't beat you over the head with it all the time. Because if I beat you over the head with it all the time, they're gonna, like, I'm not gonna watch.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Pretty soon you'll become desensitized.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's not gonna have the same impact.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. I said, every time something happen, he gonna talk about race or something like that. And I think I've done a good job. I says, I want to talk about this. I want to talk about this. But I think we have to be very selective. I do. I think we have to be very selective because, man, racial should have them.

[Shannon Sharpe]

All the time, for sure.

[Charles Barkley]

All the time. And I want people to see, like, Shannon Charles, Stephen A. They gonna be fair and balanced.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's it.

[Charles Barkley]

That's all. So that's the only thing I try to do in this situation. Like, yo, man, Chuck ain't just trying to play race or trying to stir it up. Stir it up or be a victim. I said, because the one thing you have to always say, like, sometimes black people are wrong, and then I know I'm gonna be an Uncle Tom. I'm gonna be a sellout. Yeah. I said, listen, man, those words don't bother me. We don't have to agree with all black people.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We don't.

[Charles Barkley]

But they think we do. Yes, they think we do. I said, yo, man, sometimes black people.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Are wrong, and it's okay.

[Charles Barkley]

It's okay.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And it's okay to say they're wrong.

[Charles Barkley]

But. No, but if you, a black person in our position. Look at that Uncle Tom. Look at that sellout. I'm like, yo, man, we can be wrong. That goes back to what we talked about earlier. I always want to uplift black people.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Correct.

[Charles Barkley]

Always. I want, like, I'm proud of your success, and I know people gonna hate on you. I know people gonna hate on me, and they gonna be black. I said, but, man, I love to see black people doing good.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'd love to see us win.

[Charles Barkley]

I love it. But I was like, I'm old enough and I'm around enough to know there's gonna be some hate coming toward me, especially if they disagree with something I say, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

But I want you to win. But I don't want you to win more than me. Now I see if you win more. If you win more than me now I got to question your sexuality.

[Charles Barkley]

You know?

[Shannon Sharpe]

How black are you? Because, bro, I'm like, come on, man. I mean, I criticize white quarterbacks, but if I criticize a black quarterback, oh, man. See, I should have known. Buck dancing Shannon.

[Charles Barkley]

I know.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He go. He gonna keep. He gonna take care of the white.

[Charles Barkley]

Come on, bro. No, man. And number one, I've been watching you for a long time. Obviously, I never seen you try to get clickbait ever.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No.

[Charles Barkley]

I said, yo, man, I take this responsibility because I do know. But I'm not gonna tell black people they right all the time. No, if you want that, I'm not your guy. You wrong.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You're wrong. I gotta tell you, you're wrong.

[Charles Barkley]

I said, yo, man, no, no, no, no. We can be wrong. But also, on the other hand, when I see some happen to the black. A black player of the community, I'm gonna step in, right? You know, I had a. You know, it was interesting. There's a couple things happened recently that I talked to my mentors and friends about. One was O.J. simpson, and one was Michael Porter Jr. And I said, I'm not sure how to handle this OJ Thing. He said, what do you think? I said, man, I don't have any respect for men who hit women, and I think he killed them two people. I says, what, do you think he killed those people or not? I think he did. I said, but I have. And I've always said this, not just saying this to you. I have no respect for men who hit women, okay? And I don't want to bash the dude because he got a family and he died. He got kids. And I said, you know what? I'm not even gonna mention it. And I did, because I said, I don't want to just bash the dude because I. I can't say anything positive. Yeah, was he a great jock? Yes. But when you go around beating women and like that, I just got. I got no respect for you. Right? And then the Michael Porter Jr. Thing. But the WNBA, no, no Michael Porter. Oh, oh, oh.

[Shannon Sharpe]

About his brother.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, both brothers, bro. Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

One got a dui and I think he killed somebody. Right?

[Charles Barkley]

He did.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He killed somebody. And the other brother took the under on himself.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. And I feel his pain. I feel his parents pain. Yeah, I feel that as a jock. Cause in it, and this is one thing, I look at sports, it's the greatest fraternity ever. I feel like everybody in the NFL, anybody, anybody, Major league baseball, in NHL hockey, I think they're part of my family. I like they know my experiences. And so I was saying, man, I really want to Wish Michael Porter Jr. Let him know that I'm thinking about him. I wish his family the best. And my friend says, yeah, man, that lady did die. And I was like, yeah, you got a point there. Like. Cause if I said, hey man, I wish you the best, I'm thinking about you. Because I know that it's gotta be painful for his family with his brother and his other brother going to jail.

[Shannon Sharpe]

God is painful for that family that lost their loved one.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because he can go to jail and hug him. He can go to his brother.

[Jenny Garth]

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[Joanna Teplin]

Thursday on abc. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens, Joanna Teplin and Clee Shearer as they hit the road on a mission to transform the lives of deserving families whose stories will truly touch your heart. With the help of the design team, Ariane Belazer and Wendell Holland, they have just four days, a race against time to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Get ready for those heartfelt moments filled with tears of joy as Joanna and Clee dive deep into the emotional journeys of these families, uncovering their struggles and beginning the healing process. It's not just about remodeling homes. It's about rebuilding hope one family at a time. So don't miss out on this incredible journey. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on 8, ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu. You Won't want to miss it.

[Charles Barkley]

We have one more act for you this evening. I don't even need to say his name.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Mr. Bob Dylan, a Complete unknown, is now a Golden Globe in critics Choice nominee for best picture.

[Charles Barkley]

Bobby, what do you want to be? Whatever it is they don't want me to be.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Timothy Chalamet astonishes as Bob Dylan in one of the best performances of the year. And critics rave. Edward Norton is absolutely fantastic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

70,000 people are here and Bobby is the reason for it.

[Charles Barkley]

They just want me singing Blowing in the wind for the rest of my life.

[Timothée Chalamet]

Don't miss the movie. Critics are healing. Five stars. It's pure cinematic magic.

[Charles Barkley]

Turn it down. Hey. Loud.

[Timothée Chalamet]

And named to AFI and the National Board of reviews top 10 films of the year.

[Charles Barkley]

Make some noise. BD track some mud on the carpet.

[Timothée Chalamet]

A Complete unknown now playing only in theaters. Rated R under 1790. Middle without parent.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Goes home and hug him. They can't go to the graveyard and hug.

[Charles Barkley]

I said, chuck, shut up on both accounts. Yeah. So I always think about. Cuz, you know, it always makes me laugh. Cause my friend's like, yo, man, you got these people eating out your hand. I said, what you talking about? He says, you know the reaction before you say it. I says, of course I do. I know when I'm gonna start a fire. I know it because. But I had planned on. Cause most of the time that goes back to the role model commercial I made.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes, yes.

[Charles Barkley]

So when I made the commercial, I went to Nike, said, I wanna make this commercial. I said, there's like, you're outta your mind. I said, no. I said, what I'm noticing is we have too many segregated schools in this country. I said, when I go to these white schools, I said, what do y'all want to do when you grow up? They, like, want to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers. When I go to these black schools, they're like, I want to play in the NFL. I want to play in the NBA. And I was doing this. When you do a lot of speaking, when you play. So I was doing this for like four or five years. And I was like, yo, man, these black kids think they can only be successful through athletics and entertainment. They don't ever think about being doctors, lawyers and engineers and like that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right?

[Charles Barkley]

So I talked Nike into doing the commercial. And it became a big deal.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It did.

[Charles Barkley]

Still probably the thing I'm most proud of to this day, I said, because I knew it was gonna start a fire. And I was like, guys, I'm not trying to Skirt responsibility. But I want young black kids to know, like, yo, man, you don't have to play in the NFL, the NBA. We got black doctors, we got black lawyers, we got black engineers. But y'all got these kids thinking like all they see is Shannon, Michael, Carl, Chuck, David Robinson. The only black people they see are jocks and entertainment. Jay Z. I said, man, they got a better chance of being a doc than a lawyer playing in it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Jay Z or LeBron.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. And I said, I just want to spark the debate. And in fairness, of Nike. Nike came back to me later and said, man, we want to thank you for making that commercial. I said. And I said, because 90% of the letters we got were pro. I said, well, first of all, I'm not worried about a negative blitz, but blessed motherfucker, I play in Philly. I said, I thought my name was Charles Barkley. You mother. The first two years of my. I said, guys, I'm in Philly. I'm used to criticism, but I always have used my platform for a bigger debate. Yeah, I'm trying to make a difference. You know, one of the things. I'm proud of you, and I don't talk about this a lot. I'm not trying to get praised, because I keep it very quiet. So for the last 15 years, I've been giving a million dollars a year away to charity.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay?

[Charles Barkley]

And I don't even tell anybody. I just. I'm sharing this because I'm gonna tell you why I'm proud of you. So I started out in my high school, my college, wounded warriors, als, Parkinson's. But the last eight years, the point I'm getting to, I did HBCUs.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay?

[Charles Barkley]

It means a great deal to me to be able to do that. And you being a product, when I watch you and Stephen A. When y'all go back to y'all HBCUs, I just think it's really important what y'all do for the HBCUs. And it really makes me feel good when I write that check. Cause, you know, we got a couple of em here in Atlanta. I think three of them are here in Atlanta. Clark, Morehouse and Spelman. But, man, I just want to use my platform to keep doing good stuff. But, you know, just being a product of hbcu, how far you came, I'm really proud of your success.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Appreciate it. And I think the thing is, what that does is that you think about three of the most prominent morning voices, myself and Stephen A. Michael Strahan.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

With the hbcu. He's A Texas Southern. I'm Savannah State. Stephen A's Winston Salem.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So it show. It goes to show you you don't have to go to Syracuse.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You don't have to go to Michigan or one of these PWIs in order to do what we're doing, because we're living proof of that. I think the thing also that role model. For me, I was very, very fortunate because every role model I had was in my house.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

My brother, my grandfather, my grandmother. So I didn't look athletes didn't that. Because I saw them every day.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You see somebody jumping up and down on the basketball court or catching a football, you really don't know that person. You know what that person does. Yeah, I knew what they did. I mean, you know the sport they play. I saw my brother every day. I saw my grandfather, my grandmother. So that's what. I followed my brother around.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So I wanted to be just like him. And I was like, man, if I could be like him and my sister. It drove my sister crazy, Charles, because she was like, shannon, be your own man. Why you want to be like him? But as I got older and I remember telling. I said everything I want, everything I want to be is like him.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Well, what's crazy about it. And you know this. And unless you've been in pro sports, you don't know this, man. There's so many in our sport, like, all you gotta do is be nice to the press and they gonna write good stuff about you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

In my. I've been in this thing for 40 years. Over 40 years. Some of the worst people I've ever met got the best reputations because they're great with the press. And some of the people who got the worst reputation are some of the best dudes in the world. And I said, and it's all dictated. If you're nice to reporters and they got access to you, they gonna be right. Oh, he is the greatest guy. And I tell people, I said, man, you don't know these guys at all. And it drives me crazy. I said, all you. I says, if you got it, always. I says, there's a reason they going to keep everything in the locker room, because you don't want to know what's going on. I said, yo, man, this dude got the best reputation. He's the worst person I've ever been around.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Charles, how have you been able to keep your husband, father.

[Charles Barkley]

How have you ever.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How have you been able to keep that? So hush.

[Charles Barkley]

Well. Cause I. I was. Was not a Good husband. And I want to be better next time. I do. I have been. My daughter has been the best thing ever happened to me. But the next stage in my life, I think I got to be better. I do need to be better, but. Cause I didn't know. I didn't know how to be a good husband or father.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because you didn't have. Because your father was away. He wasn't in the home. He wasn't a good father.

[Charles Barkley]

And I just need to be better, and I hope to be better next time.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I wanna ask you this because this is something, you know. Mike. Mike, there's a situation. Michael's son Marcus was. I don't know if he currently still is dating Scotty's ex wife.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How would you feel if a teammate of yours dated your daughter? Would you feel some type of way?

[Charles Barkley]

Hell, yeah. Hell, yeah. I. That is a really. I feel bad for Michael. I feel bad for Scotty.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

That is so messy. I don't like messy. Because when it's messy, everybody has an opinion on it. Everybody has an opinion. And, you know, the Internet is not a place for messy.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No.

[Charles Barkley]

And you have to understand, there's a lot of kids involved.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

And people are mean. People are mean. And it's unfortunate. You know, I just got onto social media because I didn't want to be around the meanness. And I feel bad for everybody involved because I see all the pictures. I don't do the comment stuff, but I know they gonna be mean.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

But it's just. I just hate messy. And it's just really messy. And there are no winners. There's only losers. Because obviously, Michael and Scottie's relationship can't ever be the same. Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did you know. Was it the last dance when Michael put that? Because he wasn't there at the time when Scottie refused to go in the game, and he inserted that into the last dance. Did you always know that Scottie and Michael had this kind of contentious relationship? Because from the outside, it, like, it. It looked pretty good.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. I was surprised it was so bad.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

I was surprised. But in fairness, I didn't spend a ton of time with those guys together. I spent a lot more time with Michael. A lot more time with Michael. You know, it. It's just a sad situation because I think if you. Not that I know, but, you know, if you win a championship with guys, y'all probably have a special bond for life.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

I think if you win six, y'all might as well.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Y'all should be Brothers I like.

[Charles Barkley]

So like I say, you know, if you win one championship, I'm pretty sure every time y'all get together, because you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Got to, you're gonna have the reunion.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Every. Every 5, 5, year, 10, year, 15, 20, 30.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. But if you win six together, y'all should be damn near bloodbath.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

So that's the thing I most feel bad. There's guys I didn't win with, they some of my best friends. Every time I see them, it's like, man, I got another brother. And like, we bumping each other at all the star games, maybe the hall of Fame ceremony, or we just bumping each other. It's like a family reunion. But if I had won six championship with somebody, I would think, man, we blood brothers for life.

[Shannon Sharpe]

When people that do what we do take shots at you, I mean, you had the funny back and forth. You and Shaq had the funny back and forth. You put Kendrick Perkins face on the punching bag and you punching it, you get in shape. I mean, how do you handle that when guys that do what we do take shots at you?

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, it doesn't bother me. Cause I guess technically we take shots at players, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

I.

[Charles Barkley]

The only problem that I had with what Kendrick says, there's nobody in the world watch more basketball than me. I tell you, like. And I had just come out of March Magic, which pissed me off even more. Cuz I was watching two or three college basketball games a day, right? March Madness really sucks. Cuz I'm watching games all day long, right? But to say another guy don't watch.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The games because he has a different opinion than yours.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. Yeah. And so that's the only thing bothered me I can say. I say, there's nobody in the world watch more basketball than me. So. But I don't get mad, right? And the thing that's really funny about it, Shaq is so sensitive at times, right? Cause I was gonna like, let it go. And he's like, nah, nah, nah. My mama told me growing up, we kill all roaches. And I said like, so that's how the whole roach thing came up, right? And so anytime anything happened right now, Shaq's like, we killing roaches. And Shaq is so crazy, he made a rap diss song. Yeah. And. But I don't take it like, I really. The only person I've taken shots at honestly is Skip Bayless. Because, man, what we do is such an honor. I don't think you can say stuff just to say it. Because my whole going back then I said, man, there's somebody in Montana, Maine, South Dakota. If I said something bad about these guys, they're like, well, I saw it on television. It's gotta be true, right? So I'm be like, man, I'm not gonna say anything about a player, especially if it's personal. There's somebody in Montana or South Dakota gonna say, well, you know, Charles Barker said this guy was blah, blah, blah. So I'm never gonna use my platform for negativity. For negativity.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm gonna get you out on this one. You once said that you probably lost about 20 million in gambling. Have you quenched that urge to gamble, or do you still like to gamble? Gamble.

[Charles Barkley]

I love to gamble. I don't like to gamble. You know, I got. I got to the point. So I would go to Vegas and I'd win a million dollars.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Damn.

[Charles Barkley]

How many?

[Shannon Sharpe]

What you playing a hand? 25, 30, 40,000.

[Charles Barkley]

I played 25,000 a hand.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, couple quick double downs, you can get that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, a quick double down, you get it up out your pockets.

[Charles Barkley]

There's probably been seven times that I won a million dollars, okay? There's probably been 25 times I've lost a million, right? So what happened was I quit gambling for two years, and I always take the same group of guys for me. And I said, man, I miss gambling. They're like, why don't you start gambling again? I said, well, man, I was getting out of hand. They're like, yo, man, your gambling ain't getting out of hand. You're just a idiot, right? And the one thing I pride myself on around my friends, they can always be honest with me. I said, why you say I'm a idiot? They're like, yeah, man, we'll be sitting there, you'll be up 3, $400,000. Be like, Chuck, let's go. You good for the night, right? And in my head, I'm saying, nah, we're not leaving this month. I win a million dollars, right? And they used to, dude, there's times you've been up 6, $700,000 and you won't quit, right? Because gambling is really just peaks and valleys. It is. It's just peaks and valleys.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's the stock market.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. That's all it is. And they're like, dude, why can't you win $300,000 and say, man, we had a great weekend. Why you got to win a million? And I said, what? They said, why can't you lose 300 and say we still had a great weekend? And I says, are you serious right now? He said, man, you know, I ain't gonna lie to you. Let's win a couple hundred thousand, have a great weekend. Go home. Go home. Or lose 2 or 300. You ain't got to win a million or you ain't got to chase it and lose a million. And so to answer your question, I said, yo, man, we're going to Vegas for the weekend. We gonna lose a couple hundred thousand or we gonna win a couple hundred thousand. You know what we gonna do? We're gonna play golf every day and get drunk every night, right? And I had to change my mentality because you can never break the casino. No, no, no. They can break your.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

And my friends just sit me down and says, yeah, man, let's just go have fun for the weekend. Let's win some money or lose a little bit. But. But. Yeah, but that's what really happened. When I would lose a million, I was so depressed. Not that the money. Yeah, that's bull. Yeah, because of the money. But the losing.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But the winning never feels as good as the losing hurt.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes. You're so excited when you got all that money laying in front of you, but you're, like, depressed for a week. You're like, damn, I lost. I lost a million dollars. And then you have to send the bill to your financial people, and they yell at you. And you. They yelling and yelling and yelling. And then I says, hey, y'all better quit yelling. Me, I'm gonna fire y'all. And then they're like, okay, we'll pay it. But that's what really happened. I was getting out of hand because, like, you just had. Your point was so good. But no matter how good it feels, winning when you lose, it just sucks.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You really doing Ozempic?

[Charles Barkley]

No, I'm doing Manjaro.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Manjaro.

[Charles Barkley]

I've lost. So, Shannon, I got new hips.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay, so you got both of them replaced? Yes, I got both of mine replaced.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. The best thing ever. Edit, like, night and day.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I hate that I waited so long.

[Charles Barkley]

Me too. So I played at 250. I got up to 2 3. 3:55.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What?

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

3:55.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, I was good. Good eating, too, brother. Good eating. So I got up to 3:55, and I was with one of my friends. He had lost a lot of weight. And he said. I said, yo, man, how you lose all that weight? He said, yo, man, I want you to go see my doctor if you're trying to lose weight. And I started doing Mounjaro. And I got. I went from 355 to 2, 285.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow.

[Charles Barkley]

And I'm gonna get to 270, just take a shot. It's unbelievable. And obviously I can't stay on it my whole life, but when I get to 270.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Then you can work.

[Charles Barkley]

Then I can work. But like I said, when I got them hips, man, I gained 105 pounds.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah. I was up to 355. And now I'm 285. And I want to get to 270 because my doctor like. 270. You're gonna be all right. You know, if you. 300, 320. 20, like, you gotta worry about diabetes, stroke, hypertension and things like that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Ain't a whole lot of 70 year olds.

[Charles Barkley]

No, no. He told me. She told me her name. She's a she. She ain't no fat old people. Yeah, ain't no fat old people. So I wanna get my weight down. Cause, you know, you know, it's. It's interesting and difficult and, man, I'm 61. It's weird getting older. And I'm glad to get old.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Charles Barkley]

But better than the alternative. Yeah, but I want to be healthy. Back to playing golf there all the time. Now I'm back to working out, but that's the main thing, man. I want to be here.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Charles Barkley, ladies and gentlemen.

[Charles Barkley]

Thank you, Charles. Thank you, man. It's an honor. All my life been grinding all my life life Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Want a slice, got to roll a.

[Charles Barkley]

Dice that's why all my life I be grinding all my life all my life been grinding all my life Sacrifice.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hustle, paid the price Want a slice, got the roll of dice to swap all my life I've been grinding all.

[Charles Barkley]

My life.

[Jenny Garth]

As we gather together during this holiday season, let me share a gift that keeps on giving. Chase freedom. With Chase Freedom Unlimited, you'll not only experience the joy of 1.5% unlimited cash.

[Charles Barkley]

Back, but also the freedom to create.

[Jenny Garth]

Cherished memories with your loved ones. Discover the magic and learn [e-mail] and let this season be filled with love, laughter and the delight of extra cash in your pocket.

[Charles Barkley]

Cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC.

[Joanna Teplin]

Thursday on abc. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick off the new year. Join the makeover mavens Joanna Teplin and Clee Shearer as they hit the road on a mission to transform lives of deserving families. They have just four days to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives. Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres Thursday at 8, 7 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu, too.

[Charles Barkley]

Stay farming DJ Dramos from life as a gringo. No Making smarter financial moves today secures a financial freedom for a successful tomorrow. In my family, one of the biggest points of contention was finances. And I know as I gotten older, I made it a promise to myself to say I don't want to relive that. You know, hiring somebody to do credit repair for me. That was a gift that I gave myself that allowed me to then get my first apartment, then eventually buy my own home. Like these are all things that are possible, like a good neighbor. State Farm is there. State Farm, proud sponsor of Michael Tura Podcast network.