OT: Great Charles Barkley friendship story
As many of you know, I'm a pretty sentimental guy. This story appeared in my TL late last night, and I thought it was too heartwarming not to share.
This is the story of Charles Barkley and an Iowa scientist, as told by the latter's daughter. Remember, no man is a failure who has friends...
https://amp.wbur.org/onlyagame/2018/12/14/lin-wang-charles-barkley?__twitter_impression=true
December 15th, 2018 at 1:09 PM ^
That was a great read.
I met Chuck in Vegas a few years back. Really nice guy.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^
"...cat litter scientist"
A nobler profession there never was.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
That is a tight-knit scientific community. The professionals there really tend to clump together...
December 15th, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
Yes, and they all clawed their way up the ladder.
December 15th, 2018 at 2:15 PM ^
Very smal, niche field. In fact, when someone from that field dies, it's very catastrophic.
December 15th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^
I feel like my cat is laughing at me everytime I clean out her litter box, I question the validity of the food chain charts
December 15th, 2018 at 3:10 PM ^
If I had to guess why your cat is laughing at you, it's because he/she have seen you naked...
December 15th, 2018 at 2:16 PM ^
Not so sure about that. Any time they deal with crap they just push it into a corner and cover it up.
December 15th, 2018 at 2:48 PM ^
I've trained my cat to use the toilet...no joke.
Damn evolution for not giving him opposable thumbs because he can't flush. Still...no more litter for me to deal with.
December 15th, 2018 at 3:13 PM ^
"Hey, is anyone in there?"
"Meooooowwwww."
"Come on, Chairman Meow, I gotta take a dump. Hurry it up!"
"Meeeeeeooooooooowwwwwwww!!!'
"Fuck you too, buddy. And there had better be some TP left when I get in there."
"Meuh Meoh....Meorry...."
December 15th, 2018 at 1:22 PM ^
Charles Barkley was sitting behind us at MGM when Blake O'Neill dropped the punt allowing MSU to win. I've never seen a happier man in my life. Haven't been a fan since.
On the bright side I got 3 sympathy beers from Oklahoma fans. Good people.
December 15th, 2018 at 2:33 PM ^
I'm sure his joy was merely wager-related.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:23 PM ^
RIP Lin.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:29 PM ^
Not a guy who cries, but i damn near cried.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:32 PM ^
What an awesome story. Legit one of my favorite human interest pieces I've ever read associated with sports.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:34 PM ^
Great story and nothing beats sitting at the bar. I don't understand people that get a table when going to a bar. Sitting at the bar is the only way
December 15th, 2018 at 4:35 PM ^
Especially when you're a stranger in a strange town.
December 15th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
The last few moments of that phone call between Shirley and Barkley, man, all the feels. That's character.
December 15th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^
Barkely was one of my favorite players from the 80s/90s. At one point was considered the 2nd best player in the league and one could argue was #2 for the entire 6 years from 88-93
December 15th, 2018 at 4:38 PM ^
Apparently he and Jordan dominated the other Dream Teamers during their closed practices.
December 15th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
Good read. Thanks. I have high regard for Charles and his clarity. His refusal to settle garbage assault charges (3?) out of court was always entertaining and of interest.
December 15th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
thanks for sharing this.
December 15th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
Nice story - and I'm glad to have read it. Behind all of the bravado and bluster, there is a real person, and that was who the father met and became friends with. The dad sounded like a really optimistic upbeat sort of person.
December 15th, 2018 at 4:25 PM ^
Thanks for making me like Charles Barkley again; I have felt pretty down on him for a while.
December 15th, 2018 at 5:19 PM ^
One of the jobs I put myself through college with involved me driving customer cars. One of the customers had a bunch of pictures laying out on the seat (I'm guessing he looked for something in the center console before checking in). The stack was mostly Charles doing picture in what clearly was a hospital. I neatly stacked them and told him I put his pictures in the console.
After talking to the owner I found out that Charles regularly did hospital visits during his time in Philadelphia and that he did not want press/media there. He was doing it because he wanted to not for the positive press.
December 15th, 2018 at 5:20 PM ^
Great story. Restores my faith in people a little more. Damn onions...
December 15th, 2018 at 10:41 PM ^
What a great read. No matter what your culture or background dads just want what's best for their kids and to set them up for success.
December 16th, 2018 at 7:11 AM ^
Always been a Charles Barkley fan. Even moreso now. Very good read.
December 16th, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^
Thanks for posting this. My dad is an Asian-Am immigrant to the midwest from the same era, I can imagine how the author's father felt that he and Charles shared the same 'American Dream'.
(I almost ended up in Iowa myself. I think my life would have been similar, except being a lifelong Hawkeye fan and debating Ferentz's contract for years [decades]).