It should never be surprising if a woman beats a man at anything, but it should be even less surprising if that woman is challenging, Jeff Van Gundy. The ESPN analyst decided to challenge the Spurs' training facility known as the hill, and more specifically sideline reporter Nancy Lieberman, and was destroyed on the uphill climb. Of course ESPN decided to highlight it during the Lakers-Spurs game last night....

So here it is in all its Glory.....brace yourself for the slo-mo replay of the kiss at the end. I'll have more on it tomorrow.

So here we are.....after months of hype the race is here. Who you got?

Shaq unveils his Slot Machine shoe, which makes absolutely zero sense. Nique is taking Barkley. Ernie introduces us to the contestant, and asks the crowd who they like......it's over-whelmingly in favor of Bavetta.

Bavetta taps EJ on the ass and the room roars with laughter. Barkley walks out and looks Huuuuuuge. John Carlos calls Barkley the "Black Rhino".....tad bit racist.

"I've got nothing against old people. I want to be one one day."- CB

Damn Dick is all business. And Charles starts stretching. LET'S GET IT ON!!!!!!!!!!

Dick can't even get his pants off.......and we're off! Wait, false start on Barkley. Twice! He's cheating

First time down......Barkley

Second time down......Barkley

Third time down.....Barkley

WINNER...........BARKLEY! A Kiss, a Dive and a backwards run taunt!

Brokeback Barkley is out of breath. And Dick's leg is bleeding.

"I'm donating two Black Jack hands to charity"- CB, $50K to the Boys and Girls Club.....I love Charles.

I cannot believe they kissed on the lips.........TAKE THAT TIM HARDAWAY!

So the Chuckster was on Leno last night discussing among other things.......Basketball, Gambling, Money Grubbing Relatives, James Brown, and The Upcoming Race with Dickie B.



"I don't have your type of cake"- CB
"Well you would if you weren't gambling your ass off"- Jay

"I'm gonna beat him like a drum"- CB

Don't forget that I'll be live-blogging the race this Saturday night.

Tip of the Cap to Awful Officiating (Interesting name huh???? Just kidding....they asked permission before hand. Good people over there.)

So after the race issues of yesterday I've got even more interesting news today.

From Slam Online....There's an actual press release for the Bavetta v. Barkley Race.

Let’s get ready to stuuuumble!” On the evening of Saturday, February 17, former NBA superstar and current TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley, 43, will challenge veteran NBA referee Dick Bavetta, 67, to a footrace during TNT’s coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS. The distance of the race will be 235 feet (78.3 yards), as Barkley and Bavetta will race baseline to baseline, and then to the half-court line of the regulation basketball court at the Thomas & Mack Arena. In conjunction with the race $50,000, $25,000 from the NBA and $25,000 from TNT, will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

The initial challenge to race was issued on January 4 when Barkley subbed in for TNT game announcer Steve Kerr and made a rare courtside appearance with Albert for TNT’s broadcast of the L.A. Lakers @ Sacramento Kings game. During the first half of the match-up, in which Bavetta was officiating, Barkley made the off-the-cuff comment, “I can outrun Dick Bavetta right now, Marv.”

“Charles, let me say something to you, there’s no way you can critique the game the way you critique it if you cannot beat a referee,” weighed in Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Garnett.

“It better be a short race, because if it’s an endurance race, I think Bavetta has got him licked,” said reigning two-time NBA MVP and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash on Barkley v. Bavetta. “I’m sure Charles will try to make the distance just right for himself.”

Michael Jackson can't even get courtside seats to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, where he's been living lately. A well-placed source says Wacko Jacko waited too long to call for tickets - the front-row seats had already been promised to Jack Nicholson, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Diddy, Nelly and Adam Sandler. "The tickets he wants are not available at this time," said our insider.

"Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said that there is “‘no truth’ that he is preparing to announce a $10 Billion downtown development that would include a sports arena as the centerpiece.” In Las Vegas, Norm Clarke noted Goodman and NBA Commissioner David Stern are speaking at a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce luncheon today, “but it won’t involve an NBA team relocating to Las Vegas.” Goodman said that he will meet with Stern to “discuss going forward with ‘an attempt to get a franchise here’”

The response from Dickie B to Charles Barkley.....



"I know I'm a fat ole' has been right now"- CB

Considering that Chuck is winning $700K in Vegas I think they should really up the stakes on this....what do you think?

I have no idea why I'm THAT excited about this, but for some reason I am....



"Ain't nobody quick at 67"- CB
"Are you quick"- Ernie
"I'm going to be lumbering"- CB

Odds have moved to Bavetta 1-2.....Chuck 5-1.