NEWS: Sir Charles to Visit OKC

[FR Turbo]

As per an interview with KWTV's Kelly Ogle on TNT, the round mound of mouth will soon visit the Sooner State.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8723/f16bark8wg.jpg
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/5326/f16bark018df.jpg
Images from NewsOK.com.


Watch the video clip here (http://newsok.com/video/1763596/).

[DusterDad]

It's all good. I think he was merely stirring the pot and creating opportunities within the phenom now known as the OKC Hornets. I like Barkley and believe he has never had anything against Oklahoma. He was just using the situation for raising interest, which of course has worked. He's a shrewd businessman that isn't afraid to show up after he opens his mouth. If he really meant what he said, he wouldn't be coming. BTW, he'd make a great politician. :spin:

[FR Turbo]

So, what did you think of Charles' comments tonight about how the Republicans are too busy hunting to help victims of Hurricane Katrina?

Furthermore, he offered no apology to Oklahomans for his remarks. Rather, he told all who were offended to "get a life". Of course, his life consists of making flippant remarks while not being held accountable.

Perhaps, it's more of an OKC pride that leaves many of us here offended by his remarks. You'd be kidding yourself not to factor in MAPS and the recent additions to downtown and bricktown as being a source of pride for the metro area. Add in the temporary acquisition of the Hornets and their recent success and you begin to understand where I'm coming from. Just as the city is beginning to rise in national prominence, Charles Barkley had to offer up his unsolicited backhanded remarks to squelch our noise.

I believe those who don't understand why people got offended by Charles' comments don't understand the recent struggles, sacrifices and efforts behind an intentional effort to raise awareness of this city only to have some national figure slap us down. He could've offered more supportive words that might have given us a lift, but he took advantage of the situation and made sure everyone left that moment with negative stereotypes of Oklahoma well entrenched in their minds.

Now he denies ever having said that Oklahoma is no place for black people although there is video evidence to the contrary.

It could be said that people not living in the OKC metro area don't fully understand or appreciate what OKC is trying to do with itself on a national level.

:soapbox:

[FR Turbo]

All that said, here's what Charles says now:

From NewsOK.com article (http://www.newsok.com/article/1763609/?template=home/main).


Fri February 17, 2006
Barkley compliments Hornets, Oklahoma City

By Berry Tramel
The Oklahoman

A week ago on TNT's NBA Tip-Off pregame show, Charles Barkley caused an Oklahoma firestorm by asking Hornets point guard Chris Paul if he had cows and chickens in his yard and calling Oklahoma a ""vast wasteland'' and ""no place for black people

But in an 18-minute interview with The Oklahoman on Thursday night during the NBA Jam Session of All-Star Weekend, Barkley complimented the Hornets and Oklahoma City and said he meant no offense. Here is the full transcript of the interview:

What are your thoughts about the Hornets?

They're doing really well. Should make the playoffs. I really like the (Chris) Paul kid. I think Byron's done a fantastic job. I'm happy for Byron. He's a hell of a coach. He got screwed in New Jersey. He really got screwed in New Jersey. It really wasn't right. The GM there, I don't even know who that is, doing a hell of a job. They've actually got a good team. They've got a good team. I like their team. I like all the trades they made. I really like the Williams trade. Hunter I thought could help 'em a little bit more. As I said on the air, it solidifies them as far as making the playoffs. They should make the playoffs.

Will the Hornets sustain their success the last 30 games?

I do think they'll sustain it. And you know what, they play an exciting way. They make it fun for the fans. And I've got to take my hat off to Oklahoma City. What they've done for that team has made it exciting and fun. For them to open their hearts up, sell out every game, for a team that everybody assumed they would have for only one year, is pretty good. I personally think they should stay there. No. 1, New Orleans wasn't supporting the team. And New Orleans is not ready for a professional sports franchise right and will not be anytime soon.

Are you surprised how much staying power this Oklahoma flap has received? Peter Vecsey writes about it in the New York Post, Letterman brings it up?

Vecsey is just a horrible person. So I don't worry about him that much. Peter Vecsey is just a horrible person. I was a little disappointed that people tried to make it out to be like I didn't like Oklahoma, just something I said. Let me tell you what really happened. I was really (hacked) at TNT. What happened was, Chris Paul didn't know he didn't make that all-star team. We were having a little one-minute conversation before we went on, and I was just joking around, and I said, "Man, I'm disappointed you didn't make the all-star team.' Then Kenny (Smith) says to me, "How do you know he didn't make the all-star team?' And I saw Chris Paul's reaction, he didn't know it, and Kenny didn't know it. I had saw the list earlier that day. So I saw the expression on his face. I was surprised TNT had him on if he didn't make the all-star team. So my first question was kind of in jest. Man, you got chickens and cows. I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable. So my first question was, you've got cows and chickens in your backyard. And he laughed with it. I don't remember, I know I didn't say Oklahoma's not a place for black people. I said I didn't think there was any there. People try to say I said Oklahoma's not a place for black people. Which I know I didn't say. I still don't think there's a lot of black people in Oklahoma. I was a little surprised and disappointed that people tried to make it like it turned out. I was just having fun.

What's the most outlandish thing you've said or done? What caused the biggest firestorm?

I ate a hamburger. PETA sent a letter to the NBA, trying to get the NBA to stop using leather balls. So I made these guys go out and get me a hamburger, with extra mayo and ketchup. And I just started the show with that hamburger, said all animals are good for is eating and testing. Like I said, if somebody got offended, I'm sorry and that's unfortunate. But I can't believe they would get offended by that. It bothers me that people would say I said Oklahoma's not a place for black people. I just said I don't think there's a lot of 'em there. I think the same thing about Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota. It's a joke. It just really bothers me that every little thing I say, that people try to make it ... I think people got more common sense than people give 'em credit for. Then they say, if a white person reporter said ... well, I would hope black people would have enough common sense to say it was a joke.

Are you really coming to Oklahoma?

I'm going to come there. I've got to look at the schedule, see when they're there for a weekend. I'm kind of joking but serious, if the Hornets aren't playing and the Sooners aren't playing there, what do y'all do there? I said that as kind of a serious joke. What do y'all do in Oklahoma? I'm serious. Like about Nebraska, I think about the Cornhuskers. What do they do in Nebraska when the Cornhuskers aren't playing. I hope people are not offended by that. But I wonder what they do.

What do they do in Alabama?

Nothing. We did nothing. If somebody said that about Alabama, I says, "Yeah, they're right.' And I don't get offended by that. I don't. I've got cows and chickens in our yard. If it's not Alabama and Auburn playing football, there's nothing else to do there. It's the truth. And I'm not offended by that, and that's the truth. In Alabama, we've got a bunch of good ol' boys. With Alabama and Auburn playing, the state stops. When spring practice is like the greatest thing in their life and that's it. That's just the truth. And I'm not offended by that. People say, what do we do in Alabama? I say, we're like Oklahoma. When Alabama and Auburn not playing, there's not (anything) going on. And spring football is like the greatest thing in the world. They have 80,000 for spring practice, and they can't wait for football to start. I'm not offended by that. That's the way it is.

Is there any place you haven't taken on?

All I said about New York, a lot of people get killed there, and they do. A lot of people get killed in New York. I just like to have fun with these different places. Kenny's always talking about New York. That's where he's from. That's all I know about New York, I see there's a lot of people get killed up there all the time. We had a conversation, we just happened to be talking to Chris Paul. Like I make fun of Sacramento, that it's a cowtown, and it is. But I don't mean any harm. I explained to y'all what happened in the Chris Paul deal. I think it was really unfair for them to put Chris Paul in that situation. It bothered me and I tried to make the interview light. I said something in jest and people went crazy.

You said the Hornets should stay in OKC. Why?

No. 1, the fans are supporting 'em. They weren't supporting that team in New Orleans. New Orleans is not ready. They've got to be worried about schools and housing in New Orleans, not how to get fans to games. They don't have any people there. I mean, New Orleans is in terrible shape right now. They're (Oklahoma City) supporting that team, and New Orleans was not supporting the team and is not in any position to have sporting events. I don't understand why the Saints are trying to go back there, especially next year. Now in two or three years, if they get the housing situation back, that would be different. But to try to move that team next by the NFL, that's just plain stupid. I mean, there's not people living there.

Do you think the Hornets WILL stay in Oklahoma City?

I don't know, but I hope they do. I hope they do. And I think you've got to take your hat off to Oklahoma City for supporting a team that they probably assumed they we're only going to keep for one year.

What did you think when you heard the news that the Hornets were going to Oklahoma City?

I know they had been trying to get a team. And I'm for any city that will support a team, and Oklahoma City has proven that they will support a team. I'll give you an example. They're always talking about bringing an NBA team to Alabama. They won't support it. They're only going to support football. I'm against that. You can't bring a major league team other than football to Alabama, that's just the truth. And you've got to take your hat off, Oklahoma City, they are supporting their team.

What's this All-Star Weekend all about?

It is a celebration of a city, No. 1. If the NBA had any (guts), they would award Oklahoma City the next All-Star Game. If (New Orleans) is going to build a new arena, because the place they were playing in was a dump, that would be different. It's going to be very hard in two years for New Orleans to be ready to support the All-Star Game. For people to say they're going to be ready in two years, that's really unrealistic. But they should reward Oklahoma City. But if (New Orleans) is going to build a new arena, and everything is going to be good in '08, that would be different. But New Orleans wasn't supporting the Hornets. If they had any courage, they would award the '08 All-Star Game to Oklahoma City.

You were the only one on TNT's "Inside the NBA" to say that Chris Paul should have made the All-Star Game. Why did you feel that way?

No. 1 they're winning. This is one thing I hate about the press. These guys, not all the guys, but some of the guys are bad. They say some of these guys are (jerks), but y'all made it where the individual overpower teams. So now you got guys who are on a team like a Chris Paul or the Pistons, and y'all don't even make them all-stars. You guys make individual players bigger than the game in all sports, and then all I'm hearing is that these guys are (jerks). But you guys disrespect the Pistons. Y'all don't reward team (stuff).

But the fans and coaches voted for the all-stars?

But we've got to start rewarding team. And Chris Paul, he's the only difference in Oklahoma (the Hornets). And now you guys are the No. 6 seed. This guy should have been an all-star, plain and simple. All those Pistons, they should have had four starters.

Byron Scott said you told him not to take the Hornets job. Why did you give him that advice?

He got screwed in Jersey. That's why I said earlier, you've got to give the GM a lot of credit down there. He's done a huge transformation on that roster. A couple of years ago it was a bad job. Think about it, the last two years it's been a bad job. But they've done a good job of drafting and making trades. The GM and him have made it a good job. Two years ago, you didn't think he was going to have a job. Everybody knows he got screwed in Jersey, and when you take a bad job, when you get fired that second time, you're not going to get a job as quick. But I take my hat off to the GM and Byron. They made that a good team.

Should TNT or ESPN add the Hornets to national television sometime during their final 30 games?

They should have been on by now. First of all, they're the No. 6 seed (in the Western Conference). They should have made a change for the second half of the season and said, "We made a mistake.' We had a chance to show Oklahoma City two weeks ago I think it was, and we didn't do it. We should have did it. They're a legit team. We were just talking tonight, can they catch the Clippers? They might. We think they can go as high as 5. They're only two games, I think, behind the 5 spot. They've got a chance to get to five. Their team is set if Chris can stay healthy. But they won a couple of games without him. Speedy Claxton is a good basketball player.

What do you think of David West as a power forward?

I love David West. As a power forward, I think the way they play, they play like the Suns. You can play like that when you play like the Suns. Are they going to win the championship? No. But nobody wants to play them (the Hornets). They're teams like, "We don't want to play them.' They're fun to watch. I like their team for the future. Now they've got to get some big guys. And they went out and tried to get a couple. That's the only thing they're missing, because the game's going to slow down a little bit in the playoffs and be more physical, more aggressive. But if you let them play fast, they're going to be dangerous. They're like the junior Suns, that's what they're like. And Chris Paul is like a little Steve Nash. He makes everybody around him better.


Of course, he now says more favorable things about OKC after being confronted by those he recently told to 'get a life' for being offended.

[DusterDad]

Like I finished my thread. It's all.... :spin:

I didn't see anything first hand so I probably spoke where I shouldn't have. Ogle and the cast seemed to be yukin' it up so I thought it was all good. Yes, I'm diassapointed in his political remarks especially given that he's on the conservative side of the aisle most of the time. It's not the first time he's disagreed with the current admin. It was his home region that got hit by the largest catostrophe ever to happen on US soil so he's emotional about it and used the moment (Duck with Dick) as everyone else has. I think he's grandstanding for a run at governor so I take his political comments with a grain of salt.

In short, about OKC on the national level thing, I understand what has been done. I do hope All the risks and hard work invovled that started 20 years ago come to fruition. I can understand how some are offended but I'm not. He was making it funny with reality (the chickens and cows thing) for those that watch that show(I, as most Oklahomans, don't). Oklahoma IS like Nebraska when comparing to states like Michigan, New York, Illinois, California, the norm for successful pro basketball so he was merely playing to the people that make up the audience. I honestly do want US to compete on the level of the huge cities invovled but frankly, It's quite funny to witness the reaction of OKC now that they are wearing the "panhandles' shoes" when it comes to being noticed. However, I do belive it is going to happen for OKC.

[FR Turbo]

Well, if you're saying that 'wearing Panhandle Shoes' is akin to having a 'little brother' complex, then I know what you mean. However, it isn't just recently that this has been an issue for OKC. We have fought tooth and nail against other cities for a lot of the industry we have here.

Those who live in the outlying areas of the state often complain about the OKC metro area (media primarily) not appreciating, respecting, or understanding them. Well, I submit to you that those same people do not fully understand or appreciate what the OKC metro area has gone through in recent years. Also, they have years of resentment built up and, therefore, are unsympathetic in our frustration. Merely watching OKC newscasts will not paint the picture you would get by living here on a daily basis.

So, if people are allowed to wear 'Panhandle Shoes', then they must make allowance for those who wear 'OKC Metro Shoes' to cast their voice.

btw, I know several people at KWTV9 and spoke with the 10pm newscast director the day after Barkley's comments. Personally, he was pissed off. Personally, Kelly Ogle was miffed as well. However, when on national TV, on some other network, on someone else's show... he played it somewhat aloof so as not to come across too heavy. Trust me, he was upset and that is the whole reason he was there. Of course, Charles was quick to say he didn't say what he did say. That is, he lied and said he didn't make certain comments that we know he did.

Bottom line: DusterDad, you're my bud and that'll never change. These comments aren't directed at you personally. I just feel the need to get a few things off my chest.

[Cougz]

My thoughts upon Sir Charles recent comments brings to mind a line from the movie Madagascar which was so eloquently put by the by the chimpanzees, and I believe it would be appropriate for Sir Charles arrival in Oklahoma, "If you have any poo, fling it now!" :mad:

[FR Turbo]

Thanks for the comic relief, Cougz. I'm a little surprised by how much I've let this whole Barkley thing bother me, but if I were 6'7" and weighed about 275... I'd kick his butt! :rolleyes: :)