Apparently, the NBA's star system doesn't apply just on the court, but also to the court jester.
During TNT's "Inside the NBA" following the Orlando Magic's series-clinching Game 6 victory in the Eastern Conference finals last Saturday, popular studio analyst Charles Barkley used a word on the air so inappropriate, even Dennis Eckersley would have known better.
As studio host Ernie Johnson was signing off for the final time this season - the Finals air exclusively on ESPN and ABC - he was offering plaudits to the program's behind-the-scenes crew. As he concluded praising producer Tim Kiely, Barkley pulled a move popular among mischievous middle schoolers and faked a cough while simultaneously spitting out an expletive.
After a moment of did-that-just happen? silence, fellow analyst Reggie Miller asked the question on everyone's mind: "What is wrong with you?"
It's certainly not the first time Barkley has said or done something outrageous, and given the rollicking vibe of "Inside the NBA," the successful and most consistently entertaining network sports show of its kind, his envelope-pushing is undoubtedly encouraged.
Barkley was not publicly reprimanded, though that probably had to do with it being the network's final program until November - out of sight, out of mind, in other words. But there is no doubt he crosses the line of good taste too often, and sometimes needs to remember the envelope is fine right where it is.
That's not to suggest Barkley's status as an A-list sports media star is not justified. The Hall of Famer is genuine and original, with his Rondo-quick sense of humor, and he's a remarkably opinionated and insightful analyst when he's fully engaged. He's one of few NBA analysts of prominence to have picked the Magic to reach the Finals, and his reasoning - that the heavily favored Cleveland Cavaliers would have no defensive answer for Magic center Dwight Howard or the Orlando perimeter game - was prescient.
But Barkley's lack of professionalism was particularly glaring in a week in which ESPN and ABC's NBA color commentator Jeff Van Gundy earned major integrity points for admitting it was impossible for him to be objective while covering the Finals. His brother, Stan, is the Magic coach.
Van Gundy went so far as to suggest giving up his spot on the broadcast team. The network didn't consider it - brother covering brother adds an irresistible story line, after all.
But Van Gundy's honesty only enhances his credibility as an analyst. Often, that is something that also can be said about Barkley. Just not after a week in which he foolishly swapped candor for crassness.
"I think it gives Tom Brady the edge over Peyton Manning in terms of leadership," said Harrison. "If this went on in New England, it wouldn't come out publicly. He wouldn't make a big fuss over it."
Here's hoping the articulate Harrison, who seemed to briefly stagger Dungy with his comments, gets a fair chance to share his frank opinions once the season comes around. The show has a depth of talent, including host Bob Costas, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, former player Tiki Barber, and reporter Peter King, so it's not a stretch to wonder if Harrison or Dungy might be the ones who sacrifice camera time.
NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol suggested there should be no need for concern, noting that the program has been tweaked to leave more room for analysis.
"In the [previous] format of the show, we have failed to clear out enough time to discuss football," Ebersol said. "We have been too locked in on highlights for every game. We will still have highlights for every game, and every big game of the day will get special attention, but there will be much more emphasis on the whys of what happened in that game than we have had in the past."
