Barkley Beats Bavetta In Epic Race

In what turned out to be one of the more amusing moments in All-Star history, Charles Barkley beat Dick Bavetta

in a footrace that did more than live up to expectations. I decided to take some notes.

Pre-Race:

-What if Bavetta dropped dead during the race? Barkley, too. Talk about a PR nightmare.

-Shaq, who needs to come up with better gadget shoes, likes Chuck's chances in the race.

-The fans are clearly in Bavetta's corner. We are told by TNT that Bevetta goes by the name of "Seabiscuit".

-Barkley is "The Black Rhino". Amazing.

Race:

-Barkley is wearing a gold chain. Confident-looking, and fat.

-Bavetta looks deadly serious. When he takes off his pants and reveals legs that have no business being attached to a 67-year old man, I start to worry about Chuck's chances.

-Barkley begins by cheating. He takes a couple of false starts. I think he did it on purpose. Might have thrown Bavetta's timing off. Barkley is like Arenas: Funny, outrageous, but a guy who'll do absolutely anything to win.

-When the race begins, it's clear that Barkley is going to win. And win in convincing fashion.

(Did you really think a guy who played pro ball would lose to a ref? Come on, now! Never forget that this was one of the most competitive players of his era. I'll bet he trained like a madman before the race.)

-When the outcome is no longer in doubt, Barkley starts running backwards before tumbling. Bavetta actually dives towards the finish line, Pete Rose style. Awesome! I'm just glad both of them made it out alive.

-Inexplicably, Bavetta and Barkley decide to kiss on the lips after the race. Eat your heart out, Tim Hardaway!

All in all, a hilarious, exhilarating display. And it's for a good cause ($50, 000 to the Boys And Girls Club.)

There's nothing like All-Star Weekend, baby!

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-17-2007 @ 10:34PM

frank said...

Barkley will do anything to keep his face in the news.....big deal

2-17-2007 @ 11:17PM

Miss Gossip said...

It was all good until the post-race interviews when the camera refused to take a tighter angle -- I was not trying to see all that blood dripping from Bevetta's knee!

2-17-2007 @ 11:38PM

AwfulAnnouncing said...

It's Bavetta.

2-18-2007 @ 7:04AM

big daddy said...

Barkley is a great man and he will always make the Boys And Girls Club a great place to have fun

2-18-2007 @ 7:05AM

Ursula Radford said...

They really liked each other, it was great fun to
watch.

Frank said...

Whether or not he is doing it to get his face in the news is unimportant. What is important here is that he did so that the Boys and Girls club can get $50,000. If you were in his place, wouldn't you want to help the Boys and Girls club?

2-18-2007 @ 6:57AM

2-18-2007 @ 7:15AM

joe harrison said...

Always good to lighten up a little in this all too serious world. Great for charity also.

2-18-2007 @ 7:33AM

Steve Bresset said...

Congratulations and thank you to both Chuck and Dick. They did a fun thing and raised $50K for charity! They entertained us and helped kids! What a deal! Dick Bavetta is a really class guy and Chuck is.....wel...Chuck and that isn't bad either....

2-18-2007 @ 4:31PM

lois strong said...

I'm glad that Chuck and Dick helped the boys and girls club out. Sometimes just a little help can make all the difference in turning a young life around.

2-18-2007 @ 8:08AM

2-18-2007 @ 4:32PM

Mark said...

It was done for a cause, no matter who won the money was going to a charity, congrats to Barkely

Taint said...

Sir Charles has always been my favorite ball player just because he was so competitive in a body that was not tall enough to play the great way this man did. It's nice to see two great guys get out and do something good for the kids as well as provide some humorous entertainment. My hats off to both of you. But Charles, how about taking some of that $700,000.00 you claimed to have won over Super Bowl weekend in Vegas and upping the anti for the kids!!! Just a thought because I figured you just might be that kind of guy.

2-18-2007 @ 4:33PM

Brian said...

Charles- since you love the gambling aspects, why not create an event with your cronies that puts the money to charity.......... entry 50k (half to charity) & winner takes all of remains!

Ken said...

Great Job...Sir Charles & Bavetta. We need more fun events like this, especially when our youth benefit from the outcome. Maybe this can be a future additional event for Allstar Weekend. Expired Players -vs- Fresh Refs...;-)

moededoe said...

WAY TO GO CHUCKSTER! No funnier sports show on tv than TNT's basketball show with him and Kenny Smith...Too funny...and all this for the kids...classic...loved it...

2-18-2007 @ 4:36PM

Cam said...

Yea i thought it was great for the charity. But what was with the kiss? I'm no Tim Hardaway but it was kind of.... IDK also bavettas leg was bleeding in the final shot; no doctors Lol

2-18-2007 @ 4:37PM

Joe said...

Brian, I think Charles and his crew are already ahead of you. I understand Kenny and Charles are participating in a high stakes poker fundraiser. Do some searching online to see if it's so, but I think I heard this over the weekend.