Charles Barkley has garnered fairly the status amid his decades-long broadcasting profession. He can dish out considerate takes on the largest developments on the earth {of professional} sports activities, however he’s additionally identified to be a little bit of a unfastened cannon at instances. “Sir Charles” is thought to say wild issues (each on and off digicam), and his co-workers at TNT are certainly conscious of that. As Barkley continues to share his blunt opinions on Contained in the NBA, it will appear his colleagues are involved about one thing he does when he’s not on the air.
When he’s not on chopping it up with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and extra on Inside, the “Chuckster” is thought to take part in just a few extracurricular actions. That features paying visits to The Dan Patrick Present, the place he regales the eponymous host with tales. Moreover, the previous corridor of famer additionally weighs in on a number of the largest matters of the day, and he doesn’t maintain again at instances. Adam Lefkoe simply appeared on Patrick’s present, the place he mentioned the community’s ideas on Chuck’s frequent visits to the present:
There’s a chill that goes by the halls of TNT once we get an alert that claims, ‘Charles Barkley on The Dan Patrick Present at present.’ And I simply wish to know, is that this like The Manchurian Candidate? Do you will have a little bit node behind his mind, the place you get him to say something? What have you ever accomplished to this man? How have you ever managed his mind?
Adam Lefkoe’s demeanor throughout the chat, which is on YouTube, appears to be considerably jokey. Nevertheless, I nonetheless get the sense that there are some at TNT that specific true concern once they know the previous Phoenix Solar goes to seem on the speak present. Such trepidation is comprehensible, contemplating the player-turned-broadcaster’s previous appearances. When he’s been on the present, he’s mentioned a variety of matters, from his playing habits to the main points of his future with Contained in the NBA. The contract speak and different enterprise speak might be what would concern the community probably the most.
Relating to the rationale for Charles Barkley’s obvious willingness to be so open with Dan Patrick, the host mentioned that with Adam Lefkoe. Patrick defined that he performed an interview with Barkley throughout his enjoying day and that they’ve been shut ever since. Patrick went on to shed additional gentle on the dynamics of his conversations with the Spherical Mound of Rebound:
It at all times seems like — like that’s our regular dialog. If I’m round Reggie Miller, that’d be a standard dialog. Round Charles, regular dialog. So all I attempt to do is carry normalcy to one thing that isn’t regular, and that’s an interview over Zoom, and Charles falls for it each time.
All through 2024, Charles Barkley was notably vocal about Contained in the NBA, which appeared to be headed for cancellation. Mentioned growth was as a result of TNT’s dad or mum firm (Warner Bros Discovery) seemingly being outbid for the printed rights to the NBA. After that, Barkley publicly criticized his employers for not getting a deal accomplished and, at one level, he even pulled a journalist into an elevator for an unauthorized interview to debate the matter. Ultimately, WBD and ESPN reached a licensing settlement for the present.
Chances are high that Dan Patrick will proceed to have conversations with good buddy Charles Barkley for the foreseeable future. With that, TNT will simply have to observe intently as certainly one of its brightest stars continues to talk his thoughts. The powers that be may, in fact, impose some type of guidelines however, so long as Barkley and Patrick’s chats don’t get too off the rails, I’d theorize that execs gained’t have main points. Plus, as Barkley himself stated on air, after the ESPN deal, he’s “gotta return to kissing ass.”