May 25, 2013

Barkley: Varejao has been the best non-alien forward in Eastern Conference

November 30, 2012 by 11 Comments

If Anderson Varejao, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol aren’t on the All-Star team, it’s a farce. Anderson Varejao has been the best forward in the Eastern Conference this year. I mean of there mere mortals — I don’t count LeBron, he’s one of those aliens. But out of the normal human beings, Anderson Varejao has been the best forward in the Eastern Conference this year.

– TNT analyst and resident non-filtered voice Charles Barkley, Thursday night, when discussing the front court which should play in Houston for the 2012-13 NBA All-Star game. Barkley, at this stage, is merely echoing Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott who has been his center’s biggest supporter. It is worth noting that Barkley has a bit of a history when it comes to not being very kind to Cleveland with his commentary.

[Related: Anderson Varejao: Cleveland’s “All-Star Guy”]

(h/t Jason Lloyd, ABJ)

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Kyrie Irving to lead Charles Barkley’s team in Rising Stars Challenge, Tristan Thompson on team Shaq

February 16, 2012 by 5 Comments

Charles Barkley was impressed enough with Cavaliers’ rookie Kyrie Irving to select him over Jeremy Lin, Ricky Rubio and John Wall just to name a few. Barkley and Shaq are the honorary GMs for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend. Instead of the rookie vs sophomore format of the past, TNT’s big men mixed it up by drafting two teams of mixed rookies and second year players.

Shaq selected Blake Griffin first overall leaving the board wide open for Charles Barkley who took the 19 year old Irving and added this about the selection-

“It wasn’t very difficult [to pass on Jeremy Lin] to be honest because [Lin's] only been playing for a week and it’s been a fantastic week,” Barkley said. “But Kyrie Irving is terrific and he’s going to hand it to [Lin] and if Ricky Rubio wants some…he can come get some too.”

Fellow Cavaliers’ rookie Tristan Thompson was selected by Shaq and will play against his teammate.

Team Chuck

Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers (Rookie)

DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings (Sophomore)

Paul George – Indiana Pacers (Sophomore)

Derrick Williams – Minnesota Timberwolves (Rookie)

MarShon Brooks – New Jersey Nets (Rookie)

John Wall – Washington Wizards (Sophomore)

Gordon Hayward – Utah Jazz (Sophomore)

Tiago Splitter – San Antonio Spurs (Sophomore)

Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs (Rookie)

Evan Turner – Philadelphia 76ers (Sophomore)

Team Shaq

Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers (Sophomore)

Jeremy Lin – New York Knicks (Sophomore)

Ricky Rubio – Minnesota Timberwolves (Rookie)

Greg Monroe – Detroit Pistons (Sophomore)

Markieff Morris – Phoenix Suns (Rookie)

Kemba Walker – Charlotte Bobcats (Rookie)

Landry Fields – New York Knicks (Sophomore)

Norris Cole – Miami Heat (Rookie)

Brandon Knight – Detroit Pistons (Rookie)

Tristan Thompson – Cleveland Cavaliers (Rookie)

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While We’re Waiting… Dan Gilbert and Charles Barkley React to LeBron James

October 3, 2010 by 4 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Two of LeBron James’ biggest critics, Dan Gilbert and Charles Barkley, react to all of the James-race talk from earlier this week. [Only in Cleveland]

(Update: Though Gilbert claims tweet isn’t about LBJ).

[Read more...]

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Mental note: Charles Barkley and Dennis Rodman are on the list

August 14, 2010 by 13 Comments

It wasn’t all that long ago when Charles Barkley used to rile up Cleveland every time he offered a negative critique of LeBron James from the TNT studios.  They’d plaster his face on the jumbo-tron at the Q to incite booing right along with the Michigan and  Steelers logos.

Which is why I find it ironic now that he’s a guy that has Cleveland cheering.  Well maybe not cheering, but count me as a guy who appreciates him speaking out on our behalf amidst this bitter divorce.

You’ve probably heard by now, but in response to LeBron’s tweet earlier this week Charles Barkley had this to say on ESPN Radio 103.3 with Galloway and Company on Thursday.

“I heard about LeBron’s little tweet today that he’s remembering everybody who said anything bad about him,” Barkley said. “And he said ‘everybody.’ Well, I want him to make sure that he puts my name on that (list) … I thought that his little one-hour special was a punk move. I thought them dancing around on the stage was a punk move, and I thought he should’ve stayed in Cleveland. Him joining Dwyane Wade ‘s team was very disappointing to me.”

To further reiterate his point about LeBron being a punk, Barkley continued. [Read more...]

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Jordan on LeBron’s Decision: ‘You Don’t Even Know the Half of It’

July 28, 2010 by 48 Comments

Nearly three weeks have passed since LeBron announced that he was leaving.  The Cavs joined the trade season this week and the front office, despite Dan Gilbert’s letter, quickly moved on from LeBron as they worked the phones, scouted Summer League, and stood their ground in negotiations with free agents.  The fans, while they will likely never forgive or forget, are starting to move on.  The fraternity of former superstars – those who built the modern NBA – continue to grumble.  This includes Michael Jordan, who, according to Michael Wilbon, has displayed about “one percent of the steam rising from [him].”

[Read more...]

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Dwight Howard’s Sour Grapes Get Impressionistic

March 31, 2010 by 53 Comments

With the 2009-10 NBA regular season coming to an end, a second MVP trophy in as many years seems to be a lock for LeBron James.  Winning the award last season, James has gone on to win every Eastern Conference Player of the Month award thus far, while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA-best record of 58-16.

And while James continues to put up numbers that even make John Hollinger blush (more on this later), Orlando’s Dwight Howard continues to compare himself to LeBron James and simultaneously play the disrespect card while he’s not being considered for the award.

His latest soundbites come in the form of impersonation, as Howard allegedly attempted to sound like current NBA analyst and always free-spoken Charles Barkley.

[Read more...]

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Kenny Smith is a Genius

February 26, 2010 by 37 Comments

14971_422.CR2TNT’s Inside the NBA studio show is hands down the best in the business. Ernie Johnson has played the role of straight man with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith to rave reviews. Throw in the occasional appearances from the made for TV Chris Webber and Kevin McHale and you have a tasty recipe.

With the Cavaliers one of the two marquee draws in the NBA, we are fortunate enough to have many games on national TV. In fact, they are on a run where they have been on TNT’s Thursday night coverage six of out of the past seven weeks. Lucky for us we get to hear the views of some of the NBA’s finest studio analysts. [Read more...]

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Cavs 108, Celtics 88: Shaq Injured, Cavs Dominate Without Him

February 26, 2010 by 44 Comments

90043720EG017_Cleveland_CavI have to swallow my pride for a moment. Charles Barkley was absolutely correct. (That really hurts to say.) The Cavaliers were down 8 at the half, and looked to be completely out of sorts. O’Neal had sprained his thumb and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Z is sitting on a couch somewhere. And Charles Barkley guaranteed the Cavs would win the game. It wasn’t so much the prediction of a win that was impressive, but that he called exactly how the game would be won. The comment that got my attention- “the Cavs don’t need Shaq to beat the Celtics.”

He was correct. The Cavaliers completely switched gears in the second half, going with a much more athletic line-up and just pummeled Boston. (Yes, Boston was playing without Paul Pierce, thank you for noticing.) The defense, which was non-existent in the first half clamped down on Boston’s guards and swung the game wide open. At half Boston’s guards held a 33-6 scoring edge. In the second half Delonte West, Jamario Moon and Mo Williams reversed the trend, outscoring Allen, Rondo and Robinson 25-14. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… What Others Are Saying About Game 1

May 21, 2009 by 27 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

lebron-teammates

 

“History is the propaganda of the victors, and the fact the Cavs came up one measly point short means this is a game that should be forgotten. Anderson Varejao bites on a rocker-step fake from Rashard Lewis and gives up a three-pointer on a man he was in position to run off of the three, and Delonte West misses an open look from the short-corner, and all of a sudden we’re forced to somehow find fault, to look at those three free throws LeBron missed in the fourth, to say that he maybe should’ve pulled up for the jumper instead of letting the double-team come and letting the ball get forced from his hands. It’s not fair. But that’s basketball, and life. This is one of the best games I’ve ever seen played by an individual. But for all history cares, he might’ve well gone 0-30. Part of me wishes he had.” [Cavs The Blog]

[Read more...]

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Charles Barkley, You Just Don’t Get It

March 20, 2009 by 52 Comments

barkley_mug_bnI can’t leave it alone. I know that the chances of him reading this aren’t great, but it is the vehicle I have. Preparing to watch the Cavs play Portland last night, I flipped on the TNT coverage and sat down to the computer for a liveblog. The studio crew started their routine and I was only about half paying attention- until Mo Williams’ interview. They asked Cleveland’s point guard about coming to the Cavs from Milwaukee and his experience. Mo gave his answer about being excited to play for a chance at a title, which you would expect. They cut back to the studio where Charles Barkley decides he needs to make a point. Here is the comment he made-

“If you want to swap the people in Cleveland and Milwaukee, they’d be the same dreary-a** city.”

Laughter erupts from Chris Webber, while Ernie Johnson tries to salvage the situation. [Read more...]

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LeBron Recieves Criticism for Role in 2010 Hype

November 28, 2008 by 25 Comments

We’ve heard before that LeBron is at least partially to blame for all the hype surrounding his impending free agency. And to be fair, the man has had special shoes made two of his recent games at Madison Square Garden. His comments about the possibility of playing in New York didn’t exactly squash the rumors either. It seems that Charles Barkley, not known for keeping his comments to himself, doesn’t think too highly of LeBron’s attitude towards the situation-

“If I was LeBron James, I would shut the hell up,” Barkley said in the Wednesday interview. “I’m a big LeBron fan. He’s a stud. You gotta give him his props. I’m getting so annoyed he’s talking about what he’s going to do in two years. I think it’s disrespectful to the game. I think it’s disrespectful to the Cavaliers.”

He’s not alone. [Read more...]

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LeBron, Team USA Face Angola Next…

August 12, 2008 by 4 Comments

Men’s Basketball, USA vs Angola, Tuesday 8:00 AM ET.

Back in 1992, when the original “Dream Team” won gold, their first opponent in group play was Angola. I remembered watching an interview with Charles Barkley before that first game, and thanks to the magic of YouTube, here it is…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRl8bvCKIK8[/youtube]

The exact question asked of Sir Charles was “What do you know about Angola?” Oh, how times have changed since that 1992 match-up, but one thing is certainly the same- to quote Barkley-

“They in trouble. They in serious trouble.” The US might not win 116-48, well then again, maybe they will…

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