Steve Nash has released a video endorsing gay marriage. There has been a lot on this topic recently about gays in sports, especially after Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts’ revealing he is gay, its good to know that there are NBA players who are on their side.

Charles Barkley recently said he knows he played with gay players, and emphasize this stance in identifying that he himself being a minority, it would do a great disservice to his own cause to criticize some one else.

Barkley had this to say  in an interview on ESPN radio interview:

Any professional athlete who gets on TV or radio and says he never played with a gay guy is a stone-freakin’ idiot,’ Barkley said. ‘I would even say the same thing in college. Every college player, every pro player in any sport has probably played with a gay person.
I find it refreshing and inspiring that players are backing this. Sexual orientation has little impact whatsoever on your ability to play basketball, so why discourage and possibly dilute the talent pool with fear mongering and hatred, based out of basically fearing something you do not understand.

Good for you Steve Nash, and Charles Barkley, way to be vocal leaders and ambassadors for things that matter in life, on and off the court.

It will be nice when we can one day live in a world where we do not care about sexuality, but care more so about winning together in the game of life.

Every once in awhile we hear die hard sports fans making sport analogies crossing over multiple sports, somehow attempting to link a touchdown comparatively to a grand slam, or a no-hitter to a perfect score in bowling. You know what I am talking about, right?

The point is, these stretch-of-the-imagination comparisons of sports apples and oranges rarely achieve a common ground that is truly tangible for any sensible reason, other than some random chit chat over a few drinks at the local sports bar.

That was until I was watching Inside the NBA on TNT tonight. The common ground has officially been established.

Inside the NBA made the perfect two-sport-crossover analogy comparing Charles Barkley’s infamously horrible golf swing to the nightmarish and ghastly free throw stroke of Andris Biedrins of the Golden State Warriors.

Prelude to a golfing disaster. (Credit: picapp.com)

Charles Barkley is quite possibly the world’s worst golfer. Period. Even with the help of the Tiger Woods’ coach, Hank Haney, Charles failed miserably while attempting to correct and refine his golf game.

He is as unreachable as a pupil and his golfing goals are simply unattainable. However, it did make for some highly entertaining television. The harsh truth is Charles Barkley will never succeed at golf. End of story.

Look at the fear in his eyes. (Credit: picapp.com)

Andris Biedrins has always been a rancid free throw shooter. But this season is simply mind blowing. Biedrins took a career average of 51% from the charity stripe into the season.

Befuddled all season by injuries, Biedrins has been extremely “off” in every aspect of his game since returning to the lineup. Namely, his free throw shooting has been garbage.

Biedins currently threatens to destroy the single-season record for lowest free throw percentage in NBA history, replacing Garfield Smith. Biedrins is shooting 13% from the line for the season. Horrid. Strike that, worse than that. Can anything be worse than that?

Barkley and Biedrins are both unsafe from criticism. Biedrins coach, Don Nelson, has openly called him out, accusing him of playing less aggressive because he is downright afraid of being sent to the line.

Barkley’s co-hosts subject him to constant criticism about his horrible golf game, amongst his other fodder like stuttering, gambling, drunk driving. The list goes on. But that is not the point here.

If you watch the video, you will distinctly notice Barkley and Biedrins share the exact type of of hesitancy, hitch, and a horrible “I’m-gonna-make-up-for-my-horrible-form-and-try-to-will-it-correct-at-the-last-second” reflex.

It is so similar that it transcends two-sport analogies to an entirely arcane level.

Watch this video, and you will clearly see the brilliance the TNT segment garners:

While watching the Orlando Magic play Boston Celtics on ABC Sunday, I heard Jeff Van Gundy discuss the idea of bringing back some of the all time great 3-point shooters to compete in the 3-Point Contest during the All Star Weekend festivities.

This got me thinking.

Why stop there? I asked myself.

Why not bring back the Old Timers Game? Maybe rename it? Call it the NBA Legends Challenge? Don’t blame me, it seems like the NBA loves anything with the term “Challenge” in the namesake of these events.

If someone could convince Michael Jordan to do it, the league would have to do it. Not only that, but if Jordan did agree, the remaining candidates would likely follow suit. Who would turn down an opportunity to take the court with Jordan one more time?

Some might ask, “What’s the point, can they even still play?” Michael Jordan can.

From an NBA marketing standpoint, there is one pertinent reason to consider this: Michael Jordan.

We all want to see him, no matter what. The NBA and the world should try to squeeze every drop of Michael Jordan’s game out of him before he is fossilized by old age. He could roll in on a wheel chair, and we still would watch.

End of Story.

Jordan recently called Jay Leno a dumbass after Leno asked him if he could still dunk. If that is the case, Jordan can most certainly still play. He often works out with the Bobcats, so you know he is relatively close to game shape.

Why have a game such as the Rookie Challenge before the All Star game? Or possibly a better question: Why have an NBA Skills Challenge?

Why have a game that risks injuries to players with their entire careers ahead of them, versus guys that don’t?

What about the Karl Malones and John Stocktons? Why not put together a squad of retired players, slap as many 1992 Olympic Dream Team players as possible, and reignite the Old Timers Game?

I am convinced the NBA Skills Challenge is the worst idea in NBA All Star Weekend event history. Why not lose it for something meaningful for the history of the game?

Charles Barkley was on Jay Leno and told his national television audience that he was going to lose weight. This kind of game could help him find the motivation to actually do it. Barkley is a fierce competitor in need of goals to remain motivated. Maybe this is just what he needs. Maybe this game could help ex-NBA players remain active and healthy.

Watching the legends play during an NBA Legends Challenge provides multiple generations the opportunity to bond and share a piece of NBA history. Families can experience, share tales from their past, and reinforce the NBA’s history and lineage.

From a business perspective, this has far greater reach towards instilling a devoted following for future generations. I relish in the thought of seeing myself telling a kid about how great Jordan was while watching an Old Timers Game. Wouldn’t you?

Surely there are tons of players people would want to see, but to kick things off, and help fire up the interest level, the most important legends would be a requirement in order to make this successful.

Here is a list of candidates definitely worthy of consideration for a 2010-11 NBA Old Timers Game:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Rik Smits, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Dennis Rodman

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Magic Johnson, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, James Worthy, Chris Webber, Kevin Johnson, Vlade Divac, Steve Nash*, Grant Hill*

* Denotes players technically old enough to be considered old timers, yet are still active in the NBA. Obviously this is a joke.

Sure there are risks for older players to incur injuries, but these guys are gamers. You don’t become an NBA legend unless you played through all sorts of painful injuries.

To help avoid injuries, this game would follow suit with the All Star game. No one wants to get killed on the court, and some preventative measures would need implementation to achieve a balance between keeping the game competitive and interesting while keeping people being slaughtered.

For instance, Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn would not be invited to the game. Bruiser types and cheap shot artists would have to excluded for the sake of self preservation.

Many of these guys would love to strap on some shoes, rehash their old moves, and show us what legendary tricks they still have up their sleeves.

Speaking of shoes, I smell a another vintage Nike retro issue marketing campaign/sponsorship deal making this more lucrative for all.

There would be the ugly moments such as turnovers and a degradation in those first steps, but who can really argue that this has more importance and entertainment value for the fans and players than a skills competition?

Charles Barkley returned to host Saturday Night Live this past weekend. He had trouble at times keeping his composure, fighting “turribly” to avoid smiling, and at times biting his lip to stop a smile from forming on his charismatic face.

Charles Barkley as Darrell, in "MacGruber."

Some skits were lacking in overall quality, and some were hilarious. Other skits Sir Charles could not pull off.

Barkley appeared in multiple skits, but the skits shining with the most comedic value were those playing on his personal life. Here is what I view as the top 5 from SNL.

Number 5            Barkley’s Bank

In this skit SNL manages to make fun of Charles’ notoriety of having a gambling problem. How do they do it? They spin off of the famous british Barclay’s bank, calling it “Barkley’s Bank.”

What is the slogan? Simple: “I’ll double your money, or loose it all”

Number 4            NBA on TNT

In a spin off of Charles’ analyst job with TNT, Barkley is doing color commentary with Kevin Harlan (Jason Sudeikis) and a terminally ill child (Andy Samdberg) who is guest commentating due to a fictitious make a wish type organization granting his wish.

Barkley is in typical form in this piece, and at times fights back smiles while stumbling over his words in standard Sir Charles protocol. This piece succeeds in depicting Charles as a person who always speaks his mind, and will eventually eat his own words.

Number 3            Reel Quotes

Charles plays San Jefferson, a manager of Blockbuster (later revealed to actually be Blockbusters Demolition), a contestant on “Reel Quotes,” a game show where the contestants compete to identify and finish the quotes from famous movies.

Bill Hader is the host Reg Barnabay and Barkley competes against Kristen Wilg, who plays Rebbeca Lumpin, a clueless school teacher who bewilders and confused Hader’s character.

Number 2            Haney Project

This skit dives into a spin off of the Haney Project, a reality show focusing on Barkley’s horrible golf game. Hank Haney is a famous golf instructor, working with the likes of Tiger Woods.

The script takes a twist, diving into the concept “what if Charles had a hitch in more than just his golf swing?” and takes this concept to the extreme. Hank Haney is played by Jason Sudeikis, and he nails it.

Number 1            MacGruber

This is a spoof of the cult classic MacGyver, and has 3 vignettes used as interstitials within longer segments. Due to the ability to edit these during post production, they come across as the most polished and humorous.

Barkley plays Darrell, whose name MacGrubber mispronounces constantly to Darrells chagrin. Macrguber makes multiple racial stereotypes in Darrell’s direction.

In my opinion, Barkley performs his best in these skits, showing the largest range of acting ability However, it could be the editing that makes these work the best.

]]> http://protectthepaint.com/2010/01/12/charles-barkley-saturday-night-live-highlights/feed/ 0 http://protectthepaint.com/2009/09/28/greg-oden-vs-benjamin-button-nba-look-alike-morphing-11/ http://protectthepaint.com/2009/09/28/greg-oden-vs-benjamin-button-nba-look-alike-morphing-11/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:51:59 +0000 Adam Sedie http://protectthepaint.com/?p=2799

This morphing is accredited to the infamous mouth of Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.

Barkley has experienced more than his share of being made fun of, so he never holds back when dishing it out.

Sir Charles nicknamed Oden Benjamin Button, the main character from the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, during while hosting TNT’s Inside the NBA.

Oden and Button in their early 20s.

The film stars Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button: a baby boy born as an old man who slowly grows younger as he ages.

Barkley applied the film’s concept onto Oden, nicknaming him Benjamin Button,  because he and many others have commented that Oden looks far older than his 21 years should suggest.

The Benjamin Button namesake has stuck, and many internet posts have surfaced, coming up with funny one liners, this one being my absolute favorite:

Does that look like the face of a 20-year-old? He looks like he could be LeBron’s father

We now bring you NBA Look-Alike Morphing #11: Greg Oden vs Benjamin Button.

Enjoy!

Oden and Button in their late 70s.

Click here to see all of Protect the Paints NBA Look-ALike Morphings

Have a NBA look alike comparison that you would like to see us morph? Please submit the form below or mail morphing@protectthepaint.com to submit!

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Update: Antoine Walker is Broke?

Antoine Walker–AKA Employee Number 8–is the latest in the long line of professional athletes running into gambling problems . He Antoine Walker was arrested Wednesday  in Harrah’s Casino in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. He is currently facing three felony counts of writing bad checks.

NBA players sometimes recieve a harsh does or reality. (Credit: tmz.com

Who does this guy think he is anyway, John Daly?

"I'll teach Antoine a thing or two 'bout gambling!" (Credit: picapp.com)

That might be better than Pete Rose.

He should have learned something by the abundantly publicized events of Charles Barkley skipping town on the hook for $400,000.

If you took notice of Walker’s shot selection during his career, it makes sense seeing him accrue close to $1 million of gambling debts. He rarely saw a shot he didn’t like or end up taking. It seems his gambling habits are parallel in nature. Which leads to many bad decisions with money on the line.

A better question is how can Walker, who has made $99,287,540  during his career, bounce the checks to Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, and Red Rock Resort totaling over $800,000? How can’t he pay that off?

Coming soon to a Las Vegas pawn shop. (Credit: picapp.com)

The bigger question is how much more has he lost prior to being arrested Wednesday?

Did he gamble with the folks he played golf with on Thursday? Seems it was no hassle ponying up the $135,000 cash for bail. Did he just get lazy? Maybe he wanted to pretend it didn’t happen, like it was a bad dream or something, like if he went away, it would go away. Not how it works though.

What would be the over/under on when Antoine Walker will be broke?

Quite possible Walker’s career may have to continue in European League near you.