Every time Charles Barkley gets near a mic, something hilarious happens. Keeping the trend intact, the former Sixers forward, added another all-time moment to his illustrious career as a TV personality after game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Discussing his plans for his holidays, Charles Barkley revealed that he’d be on Galveston beach, soaking in the sunshine. He also has plans to play golf with NBATV co-host Grant Hill. Calling the former Pistons forward a coward, Chuck challenged him to a golf match. Boasting about his golfing skills, Barkley asked Hill to disclose his name on the course, and it turned out to be “Wider Woods“, a subtle hint at his prowess in the game despite his wider frame.
As his co-hosts tried to shift the conversation back to the NBA Finals, Barkley implied that the series is all but over and there’s nothing left to talk about it.
Barkley’s passion for golf goes way back. He also had a prime golfing partner in Michael Jordan, and the duo continued their mini-games on the courses till their eventual rift.
Staying on the topic of nicknames, Charles Barkley goes by more than one moniker. The most familiar of them is the previously mentioned “Chuck” which has stuck with him since his first day with the Suns.
Charles Barkley Earned “Chuck” Nickname on His First Day With Suns
During the summer of 1992 Charles Barkley finally left his stomping ground, Philadelphia, for a move to the West with the Phoenix Suns. Paul Westphal took the reins of the Suns not too long ago as it would mark his first season as the franchise’s HC.
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A few years ago, Charles Barkley disclosed the origin of his “Chuck” nickname during an episode of “Inside The NBA”. “When I first got traded to Phoenix, he [Paul Westphal] was doing an interview and I was sitting around late,” said Barkley. After someone called multiple times by the name Chuck, the All-Star MVP replied to say that his name is Charles and not Chuck.
“I say, ‘My name is Charles, not Chuck’. He says, ‘Oh Paul called you Chuck,’ and I said, ‘All right, from this day forward my name ain’t gonna be [Charles]’. I had never been called Chuck until I got traded to Phoenix,” recalled the round mound of rebound.
Since then, the Chuckster has been honoring the name bestowed upon him by the legendary coach. With the impending demise of “Inside The NBA” on TNT, he might get separated from his mates, but no matter where he goes, the gift will keep giving.
