We all know that Charles Barkley is far from sane, and he even plays by a different set of rules, but this video might finally illustrate just how crazy he really is. After the Magic knocked out the Cavs on Saturday night, Charles not only called Kenny "numbnuts", but he called his producer a "pussy"....

The reaction from EJ is priceless, and I think Reggie asked the question we all want the answer to. Seriously, what is wrong with you Charles?

Charles Barley Let's Cat Get His Tongue (You Been Blinded)

TNT broke the mold as far as ASG stunts go, when Barkley raced official Dick Baveta, and got a smooch after the win. So trying anything else might be pushing it. Especially if it's a Craig Sager inspired dance off between Gary Payton and Kenny Smith. Via Ball Don't Lie....

I was trying to find the Sager clip earlier because it's just about the most ridiculous dancing you've ever seen, but this will have to do. Oh and I've got my money on the Glove....the AA line is officially set at Payton -175/Smith +150. Any takers?

Video: Sager busts a move, GP challenges Kenny to a dance-off (Ball Don't Lie)

Tried to pull the video of this, but for some reason technology failed me this morning. Anywho, Ernie and Kenny discussed Charles' current events at the beginning of the first day back for Inside the NBA since Christmas. A lot of what was said was some of the same old Charles talk, but it still needed to be said.

"You all heard what went on, and Charles has got some personal issues and legal issues that he gotta take care of. He's on a leave of absence from TNT at this time, and I mean, we love Charles. He's our buddy, everybody in this crew does and there are times that you'd like to reer back and give him a kick in the butt. Which is one of those times right now, but we also support him every step of the way."- Ernie Johnson

“I don’t know if the biblical term is correct but there’s a chaotic moment, or a chaos moment, when either you believe or you don’t believe because something happened in your life. I think Charles is at one of those moments where how is he going to be remembered.....

....He's bigger than that, he's bigger than this, and it's a time to get to that moment and grow. And move on and be something better. And we look forward to seeing that.”- Kenny Smith

“At some point we will have Charles back here. Until that, we just wish him the best.”- Ernie Johnson

Obviously well said by both of Charles' friends, but unfortunately they've each said that same piece multiple times, that it's starting to become automatic for them at this point. I think the majority of people want to see Barkley do well, much like Stern fans want Artie Lange to succeed. The problem is that some people are just headed for destruction, and there isn't anything you can do about it.

Tip Off Show (NBA)

I'm not sure why TNT always has to have four bodies on their pregame show, but they've decided to fill Barkley's place for at least tomorrow's show with Mike Fratello. The Czar will join Ernie, Kenny and Chris Webber before the network's pair of games tomorrow night.

TNT NBA Thursday returns on Thurs., January 15 with an action-packed doubleheader. Tipping off the night’s action will be LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the Windy City to battle Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls at 8 p.m. ET. Marv Albert will call the action alongside Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter). The second game of the doubleheader features Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns taking on Chauncey Billups and the Denver Nuggets. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) will be courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting. The night will conclude with the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Ernie Johnson (host), Kenny Smith (analyst), Chris Webber (analyst) and Mike Fratello (analyst).

Fratello is probably as good a candidate as anyone, but I still don't see why there's the need to go with four. Webber is good enough, and experienced enough, to carry the load for the next few Thursdays. Or for however long Barkley will be on leave.

(Via TNT PR)

You know it's NBA time when I have two Charles Barkley nuggets in one day. This one is actually far more crazy than the first though. Charles and Kenny Smith were in NYC for a TNT luncheon and the TNT analyst was apparently not holding back one bit.

Not only did the "Round Mound of Rebound" say that Portland is overrated, that Patrick Ewing is rolling over in his grave (in reference to the Knicks) AND that he "never understood ‘off the record,’ you can’t just say crazy sh*t and then say it’s ‘off the record’", buuuuuut he also shared not that funny joke about rumored ODer, Isiah Thomas. From Newsday via The Sporting Blog....

In discussing ways in which the Knicks should be improved this season, Barkley said, "I think they have a better coach. This coach probably won't try to kill himself."

When that indelicate reference to Isiah Thomas' recent hospitalization prompted nervous laughter from reporters during an informal lunch yesterday, Levy reminded Barkley that the session was on the record.

Barkley, usually not one to shy from potentially insensitive remarks, seemed to sense his attempt at humor had crossed a line. "That's my fault," he said.

Ouch. Suicide and death is just something that you should never joke about. At least he apologized, but according to SLAM, he didn't necessarily slow down. He cursed and joked throughout the media's questions, and even hinted that Nielsen Ratings are racist. The guy just doesn't have an off switch, which can be both good and bad, and yesterday it was certainly bad.

Be sure to check out the rest of the luncheon highlights via the SLAM link below for more curse world fueled fun!

Boo! Knicks Too Scary For TNT (Newsday)
Charles Barkley: At Least the Knicks Have a Coach Who 'Won't Try to Kill Himself' (The Sporting Blog)
Links: Lunch with Kenny and Charles (SLAM)

With all of the time he's spent in and around the presidential campaign this past year, you knew it was just a matter of time. On CNN last night, Charles Barkley told Campbell Brown that he was indeed running for office in 2014 in the state of Alabama. Via The Hill....

"I plan on it in 2014," Barkley told CNN's Campbell Brown on Monday.

When asked if he was serious, the former Philadelphia 76er said, "I am, I can't screw up Alabama."

He added that his native state could only improve. "We are number 48 in everything and Arkansas and Mississippi aren't going anywhere," Barkley said.

He said that his top priority as governor would be education. "The public school system in this country is the worst it has ever been and what that does is that hurts crime, it hurts the judicial system," he said. "You know if you don't give people education and hope, they become criminals. They get involved in drugs. So we have got to fix the public school system."

Well you can't say he's wrong about that. I'd hate to see him leave TNT for office, but if that's what his ultimate goal is, you can't really stand in his way if he wants to serve his home state. I still think that he doesn't know exactly what he's getting into, but with the right people around him, hopefully he can do some good in Alabama.

Charles Barkley To Run For Alabama Governor in 2014 (The Hill)

I can't tell you how much I enjoy the "Gone Fishin'"-like segments that TNT's graphics department puts together after every doubleheader. Sure their photoshops and videos are a bit cheesy, but that's what makes them so funny. Well they've obviously been thinking about what to do for the ALCS, and they finally came up with a great idea. To involve Charles and Kenny in the postgame by putting them randomly in the crowd.

Here is Charles as an overweight, dancing white man and Kenny looking on from his seat....

Hilarious. I think people who can photoshop and edit video like that are awesome, and should be praised as such! I also request that Charles and Kenny either swimming in, or putting their hands in, the Rays tank in centerfield for Game Six.

(Also seen at Sox and Dawgs)

Just got word from TNT that the Inside The NBA trio is going to be appearing on The Tonight Show next week. It'll mark the first time the trio will appear on any late-night or morning talk show together and it will go down next Tuesday, June 17th.

I can't believe they've never been on any talk shows together before. They really should just do the whole talk show circuit. Imagine how much fun they'd have? Also NBC, and more specifically the Tonight Show, is doing a great job with their NBA Finals coverage. The Jimmy Kimmel spots before the games have nothing on Chris Bosh's Late-Night debut and now Jay got to TNT before ABC did.

Good work NBC. We'll be watching.

Add San Antonio to the list of cities that have a gripe with Charles Barkley. Following the Spurs blowout of the Lakers in Game Three, Chuck had this to say about the city....

I love when they go so far off the beaten path that even EJ can't transition out of the mess they've (usually just Chuck) has created. They're just too much fun, and hopefully the fans in San Antonio have something for Barkley tonight.

Also, seriously Chuck....that suit has to be sent back to the 80s.

Charles Barkley calls San Antonio 'fat' (Odenized)

Caught this after the Lakers win tonight and it had me rolling on the floor. Watch the reaction that Kenny Smith gives Chuck as Barkley calls Chauncey Billups the Pistions' Spiritual Leader and then the return comments from Barkley.....

Wow....that's the understatement of all understatements. Like I always say, if you can't laugh at yourself...who can you laugh at? Look I know gambling addiction is very serious, but a little laughter never hurt anyone. I'm glad Chuck can laugh about this and hopefully he's paid that debt by now.

It's always interesting to note how much a broadcast changes when a network can focus all of it's resources on one Series. With ESPN on the Eastern Conference Finals, TNT will be going all-in for San Antonio-L.A. Not only will all games be online, but you'll even be able to vote for which player you want the "Fans Choice" cameras to focus on each quarter.

In addition, Yellowbook will sponsor TNT OverTime All-Access on NBA.com, the new online video player that will provide four live streams, including the Fans Choice Cameras, from inside the arena throughout each game of the series to complement the network’s television coverage.

TNT OverTime All-Access tips off its live coverage with Game #1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wed., May 21. The live feeds feature Fans Choice Cameras which provides an interactive viewing experience by allowing fans to vote online for which player from each team they want to watch for the entire quarter. The two Fans Choice Cameras will follow the players whether they are on the court, in the huddle or on the bench.

I'm pretty sure Kobe and Tim Duncan are going to get a lot of votes, but I would love to see America to throw a wrench in TNT's gears. Let's start a movement to vote on someone like Matt Bonner, Ira Newble, or Coby Karl for a quarter. Seems like a fun idea though and added to their online coverage this shows why TNT is the class of the NBA Broadcast World.

(Via TNT PR)

I don't think Chuck could have done a worse job at hinting at the question on everyone's mind, but D Wade finally addressed the rumor that he and Star Jones were dating....

Funny stuff, but can someone tell me what the hell Kenny Smith is talking about? I obviously get Barkley's cougar reference, but one milk shake/two straws? Huh??? There's no way that was a "There Will be Blood" reference is it? I'm so confused.

(Via Real Clear Sports)

Everyone is buzzing today about this hilarious clip of Kenny Smith trying to emulate Kobe's (fake) car jumping clip for Nike. There's only one problem with the whole thing.....TNT stole the idea. A very similar video was created for You Tube and circulated the web almost two weeks ago had Kobe himself getting mowed over by the car. Let's compare.....

I think it would have been 100x more funny if they showed Kobe the one where he gets hit by the car. Don't get me wrong the Kenny one was entertaining and funny as well, but they acted like they just came up with the idea. Come on guys. Although the Ernie Johnson part was really really funny.

(Kenny video via Real Clear Sports)

So this whole exchange started with Tony Parker talking to David Aldridge about a hit that Shaq got him in the first quarter and ended with the Inside the NBA team trying to decipher his French message to his wife.....

I know what that means as well and that's not a nice thing to say to a camera lady just trying to help you out Chuck! Geesh. I also loved how the whole studio laughed out loud as well. Too funny (and quit making me stay up so damn late TNT).

Remember before when I said that the Soulja Boy had jumped the shark (yes I know JTS has JTS'd).....well I lied....

The TNT Graphics Department has completely lost it's collective mind after that showing. And yes, I laughed when the Q Loans Arena (worst. arena. name. ever.) played a snipet of SB after Deshawn missed a free throw. Per usual, Charles Barkley is right on. The Wizards are the officially the dumbest team "in history of civilization".

I've never seen anything like this before but TNT got Charles Barkley a specially made Krispy Kreme Donut cake for his birthday (Feb 20th) on Inside the NBA last night. Not only that but Yao Ming has a special message for Chuck as well....

Even if you hate the NBA, I don't know how you hate that show. Later in the night they busted on Kenny's Superman rendition and Charles' Grandmother told a story about how he jumped off the roof with a Superman cape (a towel) as a kid. That show is pure gold I tell you.

I guess it's no secret that I've been known to wager on a Sporting Event or two. I've won and lost, but I can't even imagine second guessing myself to the tune of $400,000. Via The 700 Level...

I love how Charles Barkley came out last year saying he bet too much at Casinos and on Sports, and said he was going to slow down. $400K? "That's terribull."

Charles Barkley drops "about $400,000" on the Super Bowl (The 700 Level)