Columnist Dean Juipe: Outspoken Barkley a real gem

Dean Juipe

Friday, Dec. 10, 1999 | 9:17 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@vegas.com or 259-4084.

Twenty years ago while living in Houston and covering the Astros, an older gentleman -- at least he seemed older at the time -- who reported on the games for a major wire service became a valuable acquaintance.

Gregarious and outgoing, Herb Elk was a storehouse of tips and a witty quipster to boot.

A native of Philadelphia, Elk, on what seemed to be a daily basis, would announce to any and all in the press box that his last remaining goal in life was the same as comedian W.C. Fields' had been: "Not to be caught dead in Philadelphia." Given that Elk made only infrequent visits to his hometown and would stay for only two or three days at a time, it was extremely likely his wish would be granted.

But, wouldn't you know it? Elk died in a Philadelphia hotel room while there for a family reunion.

He came to mind Thursday after Charles Barkley suffered a similar, if less fatal, fate in the City of Brotherly Love.

Playing what was scheduled to be his final game in the city where he spent eight largely tumultuous seasons as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Barkley's season and career were brought to a close by a severe knee injury. Just like that, the NBA's most interesting personality and one of its 50 greatest players of all time saw his playing days come to a premature close.

The irony was overwhelming: Barkley's Houston Rockets play only one game per season in Philadelphia and with Sir Charles having announced that he would be retiring after this season, more than 19,000 were on hand to not only bid him a fond farewell but to take part in a pre-game ceremony that recognized his many contributions to the sport.

He was lauded, and, later, laid out. His mother, who was flown in from Alabama for the game by the Sixers, afterward pointed out the obvious when she said the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Not everyone shares this view of Barkley, but he was a fearless player who revolutionized the sport's low-post game in many respects, and he's an admirably candid observer of life. He may have been the most colorful character in all of sports.

Interviewers flock to Barkley and he rarely disappoints. Whether critiquing himself, his teammates, the NBA or whatever celebrity or newsworthy topic that happens to be in the headlines, Barkley skips the subtleties and says what he thinks.

That honesty comes with a price, of course.

Already this season he had been fined three times by the league for what it claimed were disparaging remarks about its officials, and he had a long history of contributions to the NBA's general fund.

Likewise, some in the mainstream of society take offense at his glibness and see him with an uppity, sometimes racial, animosity.

Yet Barkley is so casual about his own self-image that he shrugs off complaints with a devil-may-care nonchalance. It seems to be an effective posture.

His playing career finished at the age of 36, Barkley has intimated that he has political aspirations that could lead him to run for governor of Alabama.

Charles in Charge? Look only to Minnesota and wrestler-turned-pundit Jesse Ventura to realize it could happen. If they want someone who's comfortable rocking the boat, Barkley's their man.