Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: When 44-Year-Old Charles Barkley Raced 67-Year-Old Referee Dick Bavetta At The 2007 All-Star Game: “I Got Nothing Against Old People.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > When 44-Year-Old Charles Barkley Raced 67-Year-Old Referee Dick Bavetta At The 2007 All-Star Game: “I Got Nothing Against Old People.”

When 44-Year-Old Charles Barkley Raced 67-Year-Old Referee Dick Bavetta At The 2007 All-Star Game: “I Got Nothing Against Old People.”

Aaditya Krishnamurthy
Dec 31, 2021
3 Min Read
Share

Source: Complex

Charles Barkley was a freak athlete during his time in the NBA. While he never won a championship in his career, there is no denying just how incredible Barkley was. Barkley was a rare and frightening combination of size, speed, and strength, and could go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the NBA.

But Barkley hasn’t been the same athlete since retiring. Understandably so, Barkley has let himself go since walking away from the game. So naturally, many fans were shocked to hear that he would be partaking in a race at the 2007 NBA All-Star game. The surprise dwindled when fans learned that Barkley, age 43, would take on 67-year-old NBA referee Dick Bavetta.

As part of a promotion for Inside The NBA on TNT, Barkley came out to the court, preparing to take on a much older referee. Barkley stated that he felt Bavetta was taking certain comments he made earlier personally, and that this race was not going to end well for him. But Bavetta remained confident in his chances in a slightly out-of-shape Barkley.

The race’s rules were that both Barkley and Bavetta had to start at one end of the court, touch the baseline of the other side, run back to their original side, and then back to the other side, and then cross half-court.

After a few false starts, the two men were off, and Barkley took the lead. It was a lead he would sustain for the entirety of the race, as the older Bavetta was struggling to keep pace with Barkley. In the final sprint to half-court, Barkley started running backward to show his dominance, and the race ended with both men stumbling beyond half-court.

It was a fun moment between two respective legends in the NBA and reminded fans that All-Star weekend is for everyone in the NBA to have fun and entertain themselves and the audience. While the festivities of the All-Star break are centered around the All-Star game, this was a fun interaction for fans to watch.

Perhaps the NBA will bring back these exhibition races between legends of the games and referees. After all, referees and players are always at odds, so this would be a way for both parties to earn a measure of revenge against the other, and allow fans to have a good time.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Charles Barkley
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaditya Krishnamurthy
Follow:
Aaditya Krishnamurthy is a writer for Fadeaway World covering the latest news and exciting stories from the fascinating world of the NBA. After briefly working as a freelance writer in the sports and business sector, Aaditya began writing for Fadeaway World in 2021 about the day-to-day functioning of the NBA.After graduating from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts in 2020, he worked as a freelance writer for years before beginning his MA in Communications at Penn State University. Currently, he is in the United States, and traveling to his home country of India. Aside from the NBA, Aaditya is a big sports fan, with soccer, football, Formula 1, and MMA being some of his favorites to watch.
Previous Article Jayson Williams Revealed Charles Barkley Heckled And Yelled At Players While Eating McDonald’s On An Elliptical, Said He Only Saw Barkley Practice Twice When They Played Together
Next Article NBA Rumors: A Jaylen Brown-Ben Simmons Swap Is The Most Likely Scenario For Philadelphia 76ers
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Seth Curry Admits He Didn’t Want To Team Up With Stephen Curry Until Now

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (15) takes questions during media day at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Nikola Jokic Remains Loyal To The Nuggets Despite Not Signing An Extension This Summer

October 3, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

Kendrick Perkins Claims Russell Westbrook Has Been Blackballed By The NBA

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) poses for a photo during the Mavericks 2025 media day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dallas Mavericks News & Analysis

Cooper Flagg Shares How He Can Impact Winning; Sets Expectations For Rookie Season

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?