(RADIO.COM Sports) Longtime studio analyst Charles Barkley, who's paid handsomely to discuss basketball on national television two nights a week, put his NBA knowledge to the test Tuesday during a recurring segment called “Who He Play For?” The game, devised by TNT producers, is exactly what it sounds like— Barkley was presented with five active players and asked which new team they play on early in this new season.
Known more for his blistering takes and blunt humor than his encyclopedic hoops knowledge, the Hall of Fame forward Barkley predictably struggled, whiffing on all five players. Host Ernie Johnson even gave Barkley a chance to redeem himself with a sixth bonus question, allowing Barkley to guess which team Mark Daigneault coaches. Like many of us, Barkley was baffled to learn Daigneault serves as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“He’s got a hockey name,” Barkley said, laughing at his own ineptitude. “I bet he’s from Canada.” Wrong again, Chuck — Daigneault is a Massachusetts native.
“Nobody actually knows these guys on bad teams. That’s not fair,” a frustrated Barkley said after failing to identify Garrett Temple’s current team, the Chicago Bulls. “You never ask me what team Giannis plays for or Kemba Walker.”
Along with Temple, the newest member of TNT’s prestigious “Who He Play For?” Hall of Fame, Barkley was also stumped by Hawks forward Solomon Hill, Lakers forward Alfonzo McKinnie, Timberwolves big man Ed Davis and Mavericks veteran forward James Johnson.
“Ugh,” Johnson groaned after Barkley, in a Hail Mary attempt, guessed Johnson played for the Orlando Magic. “You’re just taking shots everywhere.”
While many of us wouldn't have done much better, seeing Barkley errantly guess which teams journeymen play for will never get old.
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