The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 3 – Charles Barkley
Date: January 29, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show is highlighted by an engaging and candid conversation with Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. The discussion touches on several major topics in sports: the controversy surrounding Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub, the delineation between first-ballot Hall of Famers and all-time greats, recent NBA intrigues (including the futures of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo), Barkley’s legendary gambling tales, and some reflections on his own career and trade history. Throughout, Dan and Charles weave in humor and personal anecdotes, offering listeners an insider’s look at both the sports world and Barkley’s unfiltered opinions.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. Belichick’s Hall of Fame Snub

[05:13 - 07:10]

• Charles Barkley reacts strongly to Bill Belichick not being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
  • Barkley: “That was a disgrace what happened to Bill Belichick, first and foremost.” (05:21)
  • He criticizes voters for overthinking and prioritizing older candidates over transcendent figures.
  • “If you haven't made the Hall of Fame in X amount of time, you just in the hall of pretty good.” (06:03)
• Dan and Charles discuss the trickiness and subjectivity in Hall of Fame voting.
  • Dan: “I'm fine with your vote. Tell me how you came to this conclusion. I don't think that's asking too much.” (04:48)

2. First-Ballot Hall of Famers and Their ‘Table’

[07:10 - 09:38]

• Dan asks Charles about Deion Sanders’ idea of differentiating all-time legends within the Hall.
  • Barkley is open to a separate “table,” acknowledging the difference between historic greats and merely great players:
    “I'm a Hall of Famer, Dan. I'm not at the table with Michael, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, La LeBron, Kobe, those guys at a different table than me.” (07:41)
• Dan teases Barkley about underrating himself and debates which NBA players would truly be “at the big table.”
  • Barkley: “You have to be the alpha dog. You have to be the number one guy. 100%.” (09:11)

3. NBC’s Michael Jordan Interview Approach

[09:38 - 11:33]

• Barkley criticizes NBC for repeatedly recycling an old Michael Jordan interview throughout the season.
  • “It's a bad look to do one interview, then splice it up throughout the season.” (09:58)
  • Suggests NBA fans deserve fresh insight from Jordan monthly: “Once a month, fly down to Florida, give him...45 minutes to an hour. Ask him something relevant.” (11:12)

4. Barkley’s Super Bowl Betting & Seattle Prediction

[11:33 - 13:46]

• Dan playfully references Barkley's poor Super Bowl betting record.
  • Barkley protests, “As a matter of fact, I think I'm on a five year winning...I'm riding Seattle like we ride Secretariat.” (11:45)
  • Charles reveals he’s betting $250,000 on Seattle and recalls betting $500,000 on a previous Super Bowl.
    • “What's the most you've bet?” (13:30)
    • Barkley: “Half a million.” (13:33)

5. LeBron James’ Future—Possibility of Cleveland Return

[14:34 - 16:55]

• Barkley speculates that the Lakers are done with LeBron after this season; sees Cleveland as the logical next step, possibly even this trade deadline.
  • “You can't tell me if LeBron went back to Cleveland right now, they wouldn't be the favorite in the East.” (14:49)
  • Discusses potential trade scenarios: “Could you give up one of those guys [Jared Allen or Mobley]? I think your team would still be just as good.” (15:37)

6. Giannis’ Trade Rumors & The State of the NBA

[16:55 - 19:01]

• Dan asks Charles where Giannis might end up if he asks out.
  • “I take a big swing at Giannis, he's a terrific player, he's a terrific person. I take a swing at him. I really do.” (17:24)
  • Barkley emphasizes teams have to make moves in their own best interest, regardless of conference, and floats possible player swaps (like Jaylen Brown for Giannis).

7. Barkley’s 76ers Trade Story & Front Office Critique

[19:01 - 21:58]

• Charles recounts the unusual way he was traded from the Sixers to Phoenix, including preparing a heartfelt letter to avoid alienating Philly fans—only to be traded before mailing it.
  • “I had made up my mind we were going to send a letter Monday morning...and then Sunday morning, I get a call from the Sixers that I got traded to Phoenix.” (19:57)
• He then slams Sixers management for the series of poor decisions surrounding the 1986 draft and trades.

8. Gambling Drama & The Agony of Watching the Spread

[22:02 - 22:47]

• Barkley humorously relives nerve-wracking moments gambling on NFL games, particularly being glad about coaching decisions that affected point spreads.
  • “Sean McVeigh had me nervous because he had two chances to kick a field goal…I'm screaming at the tv, go for it!” (22:22)

9. Brooks Koepka, LIV Golf, and Player Comebacks

[29:40 - 34:00]

• Callers and Dan discuss the controversy of LIV players like Koepka returning to the PGA Tour after big paydays.
  • Strong opinions about whether such players should be welcomed back and the changing landscape of golf loyalty and money.

10. Debating Belichick’s Greatness and the QB-Coach Dynamic

[36:55 - 37:32; 44:47 - 48:00]

• Callers and Dan analyze the Brady-Belichick partnership.
  • Dan points out that Belichick consistently delivered great defenses:
    “Brady had a top 10 defense 17 times [in New England].” (44:49)
  • The show questions the logic of holding coaching greatness against having a superstar QB.

11. Final Thoughts & Legacy Debates

[47:47 - 49:25]

• On Hall of Fame first-ballot culture (with reference to Babe Ruth’s own non-unanimous induction).
• Callers weigh in on Belichick’s situational brilliance and legacy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hall of Fame gatekeeping:

  "If you haven't made the Hall of Fame in X amount of time, you just in the hall of pretty good."
  — Charles Barkley (06:03)

• On the “tables” within the Hall of Fame:

  “I'm a Hall of Famer, Dan. I'm not at the table with Michael, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, La LeBron, Kobe, those guys at a different table than me.”
  — Charles Barkley (07:41)

• NBC & Jordan Interview Criticism:

  “It's a bad look to do one interview, then splice it up throughout the season...they could fly down there once a month to sit down with Michael for an hour.”
  — Charles Barkley (09:58, 10:12)

• On betting Super Bowls:

  “I'm riding Seattle like we ride Secretariat...I'm riding that damn horse. I'm riding Secretariat all the way.”
  — Charles Barkley (11:51)

• Self-Reflection:

  "Dude, we had the number one pick in a draft. I think my career would be totally different if the Sixers...had taken Brad Daugherty...instead, I wake up with Roy Hinson."
  — Charles Barkley (20:40)

• On Belichick haters:

  “I just, man, it's kind of amazing that we're at this point where we're still debating the greatness of Bill Belichick.”
  — Dan Patrick (37:32)

Important Timestamps & Segments Overview

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 05:13 | Barkley on Belichick HOF snub, “a disgrace” | | 07:41 | Different “tables” for Hall of Famers | | 09:58 | NBC’s chopped-up MJ interview: “bad look” | | 11:45 | Barkley on his betting streak and Super Bowl picks | | 13:33 | Betting half a million dollars: “I didn’t win” | | 14:34 | LeBron’s future and possible Cleveland return | | 17:24 | Where Giannis could go if traded | | 19:57 | Barkley’s trade from Philly to Phoenix | | 22:22 | Gambling agony: “sweating bullets...go for it!” | | 29:40 | LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka, and PGA Tour politics | | 44:49 | Brady-Belichick legacy; team defenses | | 47:47 | First-ballot HOFers in baseball (Babe Ruth anecdote) |

Tone & Personality

Charles Barkley is as unvarnished and humorous as ever, mixing biting criticism (“hall of pretty good”) with heartfelt acknowledgment of personal legacies. Dan keeps the tone probing but playful, especially when needling Barkley about his betting prowess or legacy. Their banter is insightful for sports aficionados yet approachable for casual listeners, balancing sports analysis with personal storytelling.

Summary Takeaways

• Belichick’s Hall snub is almost universally panned by Dan, Barkley, and listeners—a “travesty” that sets a bad precedent.
• Hall of Fame prestige is a spectrum: “not all Hall of Famers are equal,” and truly great players/coaches occupy a rare “big table.”
• NBA speculation: Barkley sees LeBron’s tenure in LA ending soon, Cleveland as a likely landing spot, and expects fierce bidding for Giannis.
• Charles Barkley’s candidness extends from Hall voting to his gambling stories—and even old frustrations with Sixers management.
• The show closes with debates about coaching greatness vs. player influence, and ongoing caller engagement over legacy, coaching, and the changing sports landscape.

For anyone who missed the episode, this summary captures both the topics and the spirit of the conversation—an engaging mix of analysis, opinion, and humor from two sports icons and their community of listeners.