Sir Charles in Philly

Last Friday at West Philadelphia’s Sneakervilla (52nd & Market), Charles Barkley held court with 150 local high school basketball players to celebrate the release of the Barkley Air Force 1 Pack, in which the signature Force kicks will be redone in the colors of Barkley’s high school, college and pro teams. But Sir Charles took the opportunity to do more than just talk about his kicks. Along with some frank evaluations of the NBA, he seriously advised the crowd about the importance of getting an education and the crisis of violence in Philadelphia.

“We have a problem with the violence in this community,” said Barkley. “We as Black people need to stop killing each other. I live in Philadelphia. It’s unbelievable the stuff I see every day – it makes you want to cry. I met with [Mayor-elect of Philadelphia] Michael Nutter about how we can stop this black on black crime. That’s why it was so important to have this event in this neighborhood – I’ve wanted to do it here for two years.”

Barkley spoke honestly about his Nike “I Am Not a Role Model” ad campaign from back in the day, saying his goal was to start a dialogue about who kids should really look up to in life. His suggestion: parents, teachers and other people kids can go to about important life decisions. “The greatest thing I’ve done in my life is start the dialogue with ‘I Am Not a Role Model,’” said Barkley.

He harped on education as the means to great ends, and he identified basketball as the means to an education. “I like Bobby Knight – I like him because he graduates his players,” said Barkley. “They’re going to use you, someone’s going to have your jersey next year. You need to use them, use them to get an education.”

But the iconic Sixers and Suns star wasn’t all serious. It didn’t take much coaxing to find out that Dwyane Wade is in fact, not in his Fave-5 – even though it doesn’t have anything to do with the word “pookie.” However, he did say that the Heat star would be his choice if he had to pick between Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. “I get together with Dwyane twice a year to shoot commercials,” said Barkley. “I really like him and I really respect him.”

His opinion of Kobe Bryant wasn’t quite as resoundingly positive. “I like Kobe,” said Charles. “I think he’s the best player in the NBA, but he’s got some issues. I think he could make Dr. Phil take a break.”

Ultimately, Charles doled out one last accolade after scoffing at any argument that teams today could hang with either Bird’s Celtics or Magic’s Lakers: Despite battling MJ, Bird, Kareem and Olajuwon, he definitively stated, “Kevin McHale is the greatest player I have ever played against. Period.”

The Barkley Air Force 1 Pack is available now through December at select outlets.