Charles Barkley is one of the funniest basketball personalities in history. While Barkley was an incredible player during his time in the NBA, winning MVP in 1993, Barkley was, and still is, one of the funniest NBA personalities to have ever lived.
Barkley is extremely witty, and always has something funny to say about any and every situation. Barkley didn’t even spare himself when he retired from the NBA in 2000.
After retiring from the NBA in 2000, Charles Barkley made a hilarious, but also a slightly controversial statement. As a joke, Barkley sarcastically noted that he is exactly what America needed; another unemployed Black man.
While it was intended as a joke, some did not take to Barkley’s comments kindly, as his joke did strike a nerve with many people who were or had been in a similar situation in the past.
“I’m just what America needs, another unemployed Black man.”
Barkley clearly did not mean any harm with his comments, as he was just alluding to the fact that he was no longer employed.
And considering Barkley’s outspoken nature on the role of race in society and the inequality experienced by African Americans, especially over the last few years, it would be unfair to suggest he was making any kind of snide comment.
Barkley would not remain unemployed for long, as he would soon join Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith on TNT to discuss basketball, a show that would become Inside The NBA on TNT. Barkley has been a staple of the show for 22 years and has provided fans with some utterly hilarious moments to remember.
The playoffs are a highly anticipated time in the NBA not just because of the intense, high-stakes basketball on offer, but also because of the insightful and entertaining takes that come from Barkley and the rest of the Inside The NBA panel during this time.
