My Man Chuck

And his lame TNT sidekicks

TNT

Last night after the Golden State Warriors finished off the Dallas Mavericks, San Francisco fans needed to send a message to Charles Barkley, a TNT commentator who’d dissed the Warriors’ fan base and their city. When the camera turned from the floor to TNT’s roundtable of commentators, a few fans began throwing debris at Chuck. For his part, Chuck turned around and threatened to “chuck” a coffee mug back at the fans.

Whether you applaud or criticize Chuck’s move, there’s one immutable fact that stands out for this reporter: Chuck is the show. For me, the only other partner worth his weight in dog shit would be Ernie in his role as white boy foil and clown to the other three in the party.

Kennie Smith is boring, sanctimonious, and sans personality. And Shaq? Oh my God. Could somebody give the man diction lessons? The dude is a fucking mumbler. Worse, Shaq is that guy who’s constantly cracking jokes that aren’t funny. Give it up, Shaq. You’re not a clever or funny guy. People are tired of faking laughter to feed your ego. And speak up, my man. This isn’t a game of telephone.

Granted, Charles is a clown as well as two of his other three colleagues. But he’s a funny clown. When I watch the quartet comment on the games, it’s only Barkley who ever entertains. The rest are simply boring window dressing for…