From Shaq to CNN, Charles Barkley has not received the most favorable of treatment over the past few days.
Shaq tells Charles Barkley: "You kissed Dick in the mouth," referring to NBA referee Dick Bavetta
First, Shaquille O'Neal reminded Barkley - both analysts for TNT - in front of a nationally televised late-night audience that kissed Dick Bavetta in the mouth. Bavetta is a former NBA official, but Shaq failed to say Bavetta's last name.
Then on Saturday, CNN set up a phone interview with Barkley to discuss the audio TMZ released alleging that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling made racially insensitive remarks toward African-Americans and Latinos.
But the New York Daily News reported that as the interview took place, CNN posted a headshot of Barkley that turned out to be a mug shot from his 2008 arrest for a DUI. And as the Daily News pointed out, CNN and TNT both are properties of Turner Broadcasting System.
Magic Johnson done with Donald Sterling
So the fact that the only photo CNN could find of an employee from its sister station was an arrest photo makes the situation more embarrassing for the news network.
The opinionated Barkley, mug shot aside, probably was more than happy to give his opinion of the audio that is alleged to be the voice of Sterling.
Barkley later shared his sentiments during halftime of Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks:
"This is the first test of Adam Silver. He's got to suspend him right now," Barkley said. "You can't have this guy making statements like that. [Silver] has to suspend him and fine him immediately. He has to be suspended. ... When you're in a position of power, and you can take jobs and economic opportunities from people, that's what crosses the line. We can't have an NBA owner discriminating against a league - we're a black league."
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