?Would That Be Awesome or What??: After ESPN Firing Added to Tough Times, Media Veteran Finds a Helping Hand in Charles Barkley

Philadelphia 76ers legend Charles Barkley retired from the NBA almost 23 years ago. Even then, however, he continues to share a connection with professional basketball. Immediately joining the sports network TNT as an analyst, Barkley has spent over two decades shaping up his broadcasting career and achieving national success.

Another prominent television network recently laid off a 61-year-old former NBA coach. Bringing the case to the limelight, Barkley imagines a scenario of working together with the former coach in the midst of a podcast interview.

Charles Barkley talks about a possible TNT-Jeff Van Gundy partnership

A few days ago, Charles Barkley sat down for an interview with the ?SI Media With Jimmy Traina? podcast. The discussion featured touching base on various topics, which also included bringing up the name of renowned NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Before discussing the coach any further, Barkley took a moment between the interview to express his condolences to his brother and TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy, whose wife recently passed away.

?I got the text from the Turner family,?and I sent him a text,? said Barkley during the interview, ?There?s nothing you can say in that situation.?I said, ?Hey, there’s nothing I can say. I just wanted to tell you I?m thinking about you and your family and thoughts and prayers.’?

Soon after highlighting this fact, the 1993 NBA MVP started to imagine what would occur if his network decided to hire Jeff Van Gundy, who had over 16 years of broadcasting experience with ESPN. ?It?d be a home run,? Barkley added during the discussion.

Jimmy Traina stated his own excitement to the former?s player opinion. He highlighted that Jeff?s entry into TNT would allow him to team up with the other Van Gundy and renowned sports commentator Kevin Harlen. ?Oh god, would that be awesome or what,? Barkley commented on the host?s suggestion.

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Sir Charles concluded the discussion by taking a moment to appreciate the ?greatness? of Kevin Harlen.

Barkley speaks out on Jeff Van Gundy’s ‘firing’

Jeff Van Gundy served as the coach for the Houston Rockets till 2007. Soon after, he began a broadcasting career with ESPN, serving as an analyst and a color commentator. As the month of June 2023 came to a close, the billion-dollar network made a gut-wrenching decision. Along with 19 other on-air reporters, Jeff was laid off as part of a ?cost cutting initiative?.

Barkley brought up the firing in the same interview, calling it a ?travesty and a disgrace?. Along with praising Van Gundy?s on air talent, the former player brought forward his opinion that the former coach was fired due to his reportedly unfavorable remarks regarding the NBA.

?Wait a minute. We can?t criticize officials now?? Barkley added during the interview, ?If they are right, we pat them on the back. If they?re wrong, we should be able to criticize them.?

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Even with how dire things are looking, it seems like Jeff Van Gundy has a place where he will be welcomed with open arms to continue his broadcasting career.