Charles Barkley: “I got traded to the Lakers—true story. I get a call one morning from my agent: ‘Hey, the Sixers finally pulled the trigger—you got traded to the Lakers.’ And I’m like, ‘Damn, thank you. About time. I can’t wait.’ So, I get my friends together, we go to Fridays on City Line Avenue, and we get blasted. We get blasted, Ernie. He (the agent) says, ‘Let’s meet at 12.’ I’m out of hell. I’m out of purgatory. Around 3:00, my agent calls me again—‘The Sixers pulled out of the deal.’ We got a game that night. I don’t remember the game, but—”
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
More on this storyline
And according to Barkley, he can complain about the league’s All-Star debacle, but the players can’t. “You do have an obligation to the game,” Barkley said on the latest episode of The Steam Room podcast with co-host Ernie Johnson. “People always talk about leave the place than you came in. I don’t know if you all understand that. Complaining about the All-Star format does nothing good for our product. “The good thing about it – I’m not gonna lie – we don’t have to televise that thing anymore. I’m not even upset. Cause if you all don’t take it serious, why should the network and fans take it serious? So y’all complaining about the format, y’all are the reason the format was bad.” -via Awful Announcing / February 25, 2025
One of San Francisco’s notable detractors, TNT analyst Charles Barkley, changed his tune on the city after visiting Glide Memorial Church on Saturday and pledging to donate $250,000. Lacob appreciated Barkley’s gesture, and believes new San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie played a part in turning the outspoken Barkley into a supporter. “I don’t know how we did that, because that guy kills us. He always predicts we’re going to lose, he trashes the city,” Lacob said of Barkley. “But I’ve got to say, that’s a very nice gesture of his. He went over to Glide, I heard all about it.” -via NBC Sports Bay Area / February 17, 2025
After facing backlash for criticizing San Francisco ahead of this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend, TNT analyst Charles Barkley is making amends. The Hall of Famer spent Saturday, Feb. 15, volunteering at Glide Memorial Church in the city’s troubled Tenderloin neighborhood, where he served meals to the homeless. Barkley also committed to donating $250,000 to the organization, which works to combat poverty and promote social justice. -via San Francisco Chronicle / February 16, 2025