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While Wade has downplayed Barkley's analysis, James said Barkley's criticism has not gone unnoticed. “He is a motivated guy," James said. "All competitors get motivated when someone says something about them. He doesn’t pay much attention to it, he has heard it, I know he has. He doesn’t pay much attention to it but he does get motivated by it.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Charles Barkley 

Q. What’s the secret to getting along with Charles Barkley on “Inside the N.B.A.”? Kenny Smith: The one thing I learned early — and we became great friends — is to stick to your opinion. When you believe something, Charles is great at either overtalking you or intimidating you out of your thought process. But for me, growing up and being a New Yorker, we’ve seen all of this, we’ve heard all of this. New Yorkers are great talkers. Charles actually appreciates people who will stand their ground. New York Times

Media, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith 

“I’ve got to go with Coach Popovich,’’ Barkley told FOX Sports Florida. “He knows what’s best for his team… The game being on TNT might have something to do with (Stern being so upset), but it shouldn’t matter. They’ve (rested players) before, so why didn’t Commissioner Stern do anything about it then? Why is he doing something now?’’ FOXSports Florida

San Antonio Spurs, Charles Barkley, Gregg Popovich 

Barkley: Do you like the pace of the game? Popovich: We have to have a good pace. If we play halfcourt, their defense is too good. Our only shot is to keep the pace going. Barkley: Who's the one guy who -- Popovich, interjecting: That's a third question, isn't it? Don't you just get two? Barkley, sheepishly: My bad. Barkley knew not to pick a fight, which was a wise move. Fights don't get won against Popovich. Not during games. He also avoided the question about sending home Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green. We doubt Popovich would have been interested in answering that one. USA Today

San Antonio Spurs, Media, Charles Barkley, Gregg Popovich 

You know you'll be hearing from Michael on this like you did when you criticized him as an NBA executive. Barkley: I'm pretty sure I will. I love Michael. Michael is one of my great friends. But I also can't get on radio or television and say he does a great job as a GM. Clearly, he was upset with me but I have to be honest at my job. SI.com: What's it like to be cursed out by M.J.? Barkley: We are cool now but it proved the point I was trying to make: Just because you are friends with someone, you don't tell them what they want to hear all the time. That was what I was thinking to myself when I was getting S.O.B.'d to death. I was like: 'This actually proves my point.' He wants all of his friends to agree with him and that's one of the reasons he is in the predicament he is in now. SI.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley 

Asked how long he wants to continue in sports broadcasting, Charles Barkley told SI.com something shocking: He's almost done. "I love my job," Barkley said. "I love the people I work with. And I'm going to try to do things to keep me engaged. But I have four years left on my current deal and to be honest with you, it's going to be a struggle for me to make it for the whole four years. I really don't know how much longer I'm going to do this. I need something more, or something else to do to be honest with you." SI.com

Media, Charles Barkley 

In an extended interview with SI.com, Barkley was contemplative about his future as a broadcaster. The TNT NBA analyst has uttered similar things before -- including plenty of talk about an Alabama gubernatorial run -- but he offered extended remarks about needing a new challenge. "I only thought I would do this for three or four years but now I have been doing it for 13 years," Barkley said. "When I got to my fifth year of broadcasting I was like 'OK, I'll do this a couple of more years.' But now I'm like, 'Dude, you have been doing this for 13 years and if I make it to the end of the contract it will be 17 years.' Seventeen years is a long time. It's a lifetime in broadcasting. I personally have to figure out the next challenge for me." SI.com

Media, Charles Barkley 

Asked for something in broadcasting he'd like to do before he moves on to another profession, Barkley said he wants to call a college basketball game with ESPN's Dick Vitale. He even went so far as to tell his bosses at Turner about his wish. What was their response? "They kind of just blew me off a little bit," Barkley said. "But I don't get my ego caught up with that. Dick does a great job with college basketball and we do a great job with the NBA. I just think it would be fun for Dick and I to do a game together." SI.com

Media, Charles Barkley 

Ever since Shaquille O'Neal joined its panel, Inside the NBA has loved showing the 1999 clip of Charles Barkley throwing a ball at Shaq's head and the scuffle that ensued. On Thursday night, no less an authority than Mike Tyson weighed in on the clip. The former heavyweight champion was not very complimentary of the pair's fighting style. Then, for some apparent reason, he threatened to kick Barkley in a prominent part of his backside. "Don't fight if that's not what you do" is good advice for anyone. USA Today

Shaquille O'Neal, Media, Charles Barkley, Mike Tyson 

So yes, the seat Brown occupies on the Lakers sideline is red-hot and growing warmer by the day. "There's a ton of pressure on Mike Brown," said Charles Barkley, a TNT analyst. "The Lakers have to win now." Shaquille O'Neal, also a TNT analyst, agreed. "There is a ton of pressure to win in L.A." O'Neal said. "Now." All part of the job description, according to Brown. "I don't know if you guys expected to win last year but I did," Brown joked the other day at practice. "So for me it's no different. My expectations this year are the same as they were last year." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Coaching, Mike Brown, Charles Barkley 

In regards to Michael Jordan being a bad general manager, honest is honest right Charles? Charles Barkley: “Honest is honest.” Well how did Michael Jordan defend himself in that call? “I thought my name was S.O.B and M.F., like damn, I couldn’t even say anything. I said, ‘Dude I can’t get on the radio and tell people you been doin’ a good job.’” Sports Radio Interviews

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley 

Did Michael Jordan try and defend himself on some of the moves? Or was he just relying on your friendship? “He’s relying on our friendship and I said, ‘Dude, I love you, you one of my best friends, period. You been there for me, I been there for you but.’ I think he got mad; he surrounded himself with people. One of the really difficult things about being famous, all your friends, you’re paying all the bills, they’re flying around on your private jet, very few of your friends are ever gonna disagree with you. And I think that’s the thing he got most mad about, ’cause I mean his record speaks for itself and I wanna see Michael do well, but I think that was actually an example when he thinks you’re supposed to be with him no matter what. But dude, you gotta get better people to wear on you if you’re gonna be successful. … You gotta have friends around you who [are] not afraid to say, ‘Oh that guy can’t play.’ And we’re cool now.” Sports Radio Interviews

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley 

In regards to Michael Jordan being a bad general manager, honest is honest right Charles? Charles Barkley: “Honest is honest.” Well how did Michael Jordan defend himself in that call? Charles Barkley: “I thought my name was S.O.B and M.F., like damn, I couldn’t even say anything. I said, ‘Dude I can’t get on the radio and tell people you been doin’ a good job.’” Sports Radio Interviews

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley 

Did Michael Jordan try and defend himself on some of the moves? Or was he just relying on your friendship? Charles Barkley: “He’s relying on our friendship and I said, ‘Dude, I love you, you one of my best friends, period. You been there for me, I been there for you but.’ I think he got mad; he surrounded himself with people. One of the really difficult things about being famous, all your friends, you’re paying all the bills, they’re flying around on your private jet, very few of your friends are ever gonna disagree with you. And I think that’s the thing he got most mad about, ’cause I mean his record speaks for itself and I wanna see Michael do well, but I think that was actually an example when he thinks you’re supposed to be with him no matter what. But dude, you gotta get better people to wear on you if you’re gonna be successful. … You gotta have friends around you who [are] not afraid to say, ‘Oh that guy can’t play.’ And we’re cool now.” Sports Radio Interviews

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley 

What if he said to you “Charles can you come be part of my management group and help me try to get things back on the right path?” Charles Barkley: “I said, ‘Michael you can’t afford me.’” Oh he could, he could afford anything? Charles Barkley: “First of all, let me tell you something, Michael is as cheap as they come, trust me.” Sports Radio Interviews

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley 

TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal voiced their skepticism of the Lakers' Princeton offense Tuesday, with Barkley saying in a conference call, "I've always said I want my accountants from Princeton, not my offense." A day later, Magic Johnson and Jeff Van Gundy, of ESPN/ABC, were more evenhanded. "I think they're going to combine the Princeton offense with the Santa Clara offense, with the Lower Merion offense," Van Gundy said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Coaching, Media, Mike Brown, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy 

Scottie Pippen has talked about the subject. So has Charles Barkley. Out of nowhere Monday, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau got asked to compare LeBron James' career to Michael Jordan's. "With all those type of comparisons, those are tough to make," Thibodeau said. "I don’t think you can do it until LeBron is done. To speculate now I guess makes for interesting conversation. They’re both great. Of course what Jordan did was just incredible. Who knows? Kobe (Bryant) has had a great career. LeBron has had a great career and he’s still young." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Tom Thibodeau, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley 

"Jordan put so much pressure on you in so many different ways," Thibodeau said. "It’s a different game now than it was then. It was a lot more physical then it is today. You couldn’t play zone the way you can today. In some ways, having the ability to play some zone and use some zone principles helps. It’s still difficult to guard the great players. But it helps some. "And then the flip side is not being able to be as physical hurts you some. When Jordan played, you could play a lot more physical. He took a beating. All the great players take beatings. But it was probably to an extreme in the 90s. I think the game is a lot better today because they cleaned that stuff up." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Tom Thibodeau, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley 

The combination of being a guy who can take a joke and having a reputation of being one of the world's worst golfers, engenders one sound: ka-ching. Charles Barkley is appearing in a new ad for CDW where is game is perfect for "Client Golf" since the goal is to lose. "I got the ideal partner...Barkley...Charles Barkley." USA Today

Media, Charles Barkley 

You might think his race has something to do with those perceived limitations after turning pro; Lin certainly does: "If I can be honest, yes. It's not even close to the only reason, but it was definitely part of the reason." And it didn't end with Linsanity. "There's a lot of perceptions and stereotypes of Asian-Americans that are out there today, and the fact that I'm Asian-American makes it harder to believe, even crazier, more unexpected," he says. "I'm going to have to play well for a longer period of time for certain people to believe it, because I'm Asian. And that's just the reality of it." It's not all that dissimilar from what Yao Ming went through. "When Yao came out his rookie year as the first pick of the Draft, you have Charles Barkley saying, 'If he scores seventeen points in a game, I'm going to kiss a donkey's butt,' " Lin says. "If you do it for long enough, I think you would get the respect." GQ.com

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Yao Ming, Charles Barkley, Jeremy Lin