Barkley running the Sixers? Don't hold your breath
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Barkley running the Sixers? Don't hold your breath
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Who’s next? Kenny Smith?
Or how about Ernie Johnson?
Now that Charles Barkley is notifying folks via text that he’s interested in discussing the 76ers president/general manager job, why shouldn’t Smith and Johnson, the only two remaining members of TNT’s Inside The NBA crew not yet to have their names mentioned in connection with an NBA front office job, throw their names in the hat?
Apologies to Craig Sager. Maybe next year.
Barkley, the Emmy award winning broadcaster and former Sixers great, texted “Yes sir” in response to a text from 94WIP’s Anthony Gargano asking Barkley if he would be interested in being the team’s GM.
Last month Shaquille O’Neal, who like Barkley has never had any experience running the day -to-day operations of an NBA franchise, had his name mentioned as a potential candidate for the Orlando Magic GM job. O’Neal later denied the report and added that he hoped to spend many more “years with Charles, Kenny and E.J. [Johnson].
Barkley signed a multi-year extension to stay on with TNT in February, and it’s doubtful that the former Sixer really wants to leave that world for the dog-eat-dog world of the NBA. And as good as the chemistry is on that show, I’m pretty sure that the rest of the NBA watching public hopes he stays there as well.
Who knows if this is just another instance of “Charles being Charles?” Remember, Barkley is good for throwing this kind of stuff to see what kind of reaction he’ll get. It wasn’t that long ago that Barkley was doing the late-night talk circuit telling anyone who would listen that he was going to one day run for governor in Alabama.
Turns out that was nothing more than Barkley musings.
However, Barkley has often said that he could run an NBA franchise better than those already charged with the job. And from what we’ve seen from some of these guys with experience, who is to argue with him?
If Danny Ferry can be the leading candidate to replace Rod Thorn as the Sixers GM or president – what the next guy’s role will be still seems a little murky right now – who is to suggest that Barkley couldn’t step in and be just as competent?
Let’s not forget that Ferry got mixed reviews in that role when in Cleveland as the GM he surrounded LeBron James with Mo Williams, O'Neal, Anthony Parker, Leon Powe, Antawn Jamison and Zydrūnas Ilgauskas. Those moves didn’t produce the results that James was looking for and probably helped make his decision to take his talents to South Beach.
From a marketing standpoint it would be great. Barkley is Hall of Famer and one of the five greatest players in the franchise’s history. Sixers coach Doug Collins has the team heading in the right direction and the front office loves him – he’ll probably be getting a contract extension very soon.
But the biggest reason why this could never happen is that Barkley’s personality is just too large. He could never come back to Philly and be in the reduced role that it is believed the next general manager will assume here.
Barkley wouldn’t take this job without full control, something he would never get. And if it’s true that Collins won a power struggle with Rod Thorn – which Thorn denies – there is no possible way Barkley comes in here and plays second fiddle to Collins or anyone else.
He may be a clown, but this man is a analys an he's a basketball guy. So, I wouldn't mind him being a GM.— Ace-Philadelphia- Barkley is an idiot. Anybody that would hire him to run their garbage disposal would be judgementally impaired beyond stupid.— tycobb
- During the playoffs Barkley had nothing but negative comments about the Sixers; tycobb is right you'd have to be a complete idiot to hire this guy. Besides, he loves the sound of his own voice too much for my taste. Other than his mouth, what is he qualified to run?— Xavier19
- Usually, I'm long winded with analysis.This one's easy....NO.— bearsfriend
- No way. The guy hates Philly.— 4x4Guy
- I'LL SAY THIS,BARKLEY DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A BAD IDEA.HE CAN EVALUATE TALENT,HE DOESN'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, BUT HELL MOST PEOPLE WASN'T BORN TO BE A GM..IF HE CAN HANDLE IT WHY NOT??...OTHER HAND,I LOVE THE POSITION HE HAS NOW...STAY @ TNT CHARLES....AT LAST ITS GUARENTEED!— t_darb_56
- ANYONE with half a brain cell knows there's no chance at him being a GM here. This article is a waste of space!— twpman
- If there is a God and I believe he is hearing me right now, please say NOOOOOOOO....— Richardgozinya
- That's just Charles being Charles.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Man, this would put a quick end to Doug's coronation. Personally, I think Doug needs somebody strong enough to push back running things.— rzzzzz
- While I don't agree that the article was a waste of space, given the number of posters who have been floating the idea, I agree with bearsfriend strongly: NO WAY!— chuckw
- are you kidding me? That would be a tURRible move. Love Chaaales, but NO effen way!— sore richard
- Charles Barkley is an entertainer but he is a basketball guy and he knows the game very well. At 6'4" he was one of the best rebounders in the league. On TV he is insightful and definitely knows the game. He would make an excellent GM. He would be better than Ferry and Thorn.— Horlet
- If Ferry couldn't build around LeBron then what will he do here. For get that Idea news media who push this crud!— Norm3
- Great players do not always make great GM's. Jerry West was the exception to the rule with the Lakers and that was partly because all the great players wanted to come to LA - Wilt (before West was GM), Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Shaq, P Gasol etc. To see another great player as owner/front office guy look at the job MJ has done in Charlotte. Finally took the blasphemy that was the 9-73 76ers up one spot with his 7-59 team. And even then couldn't get the #1 pick in the lottery. MJ as a player was opposite of MJ as a front office guy. Kwame Brown is the highlight of his GM career in Washington. Scary stuff! Barkley is a great Monday-morning quarterback but I bet it would be different if he were picking players without the ability to laugh it off on TNT.— joecooler2u
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
