Charles Barkley Needs To Put Down The Cheesypoofs And Pick Up His Checkbook

Reports are rampant that Charles Barkley owes The Wynn Resort in Las Vegas $400,000 for his bust bet on the Patriots to win the Super Bowl this past February. Over the course of a year, Chuck had apparently developed enough clout with the pit bosses (thru other bad bets, no doubt) to get... not one, not two, but FOUR MARKERS for $100k EACH that he still has not made good on.

Apparently, the story goes, that through the powers of persuasion (and possibly some pretty charts and graphs), the analysts on ESPN managed to sway Chuck to move his 400 large (originally intended to be on the Giants getting the win) over to the dark side and bet the Pats to win the Super Bowl. Tsk tsk tsk. Bad move, Charles. Haven't you learned ANYTHING after that bet you made Kenny Smith in which you had to kiss his ass on national television when Yao Ming scored 19 pts that one night? (VIDEO SEEN HERE: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2YTzSvDQ26c ) All I can say is that speculation definitely has its downside. LOL

Now I have hung out with Charles during the All-Star game every year and I can say the only thing Chuck likes more than gambling is GIRLS. I specifically remember an incident last year during all-star wknd in Vegas. He was playing blackjack at Mandalay and Reggie Miller was standing by with a large group of women who were surely infatuated with his great big .... ears. Reg finally got bored of the fawning and whispered something to Chuck in an apparent attempt to get him away from the thousands he was throwing away by the minute. The discussion went on for TEN MINUTES. As I took my martini (and my mob) to the awaiting elevators going up to the Foundation Room, they were still left there arguing about "One more hand". About 20 minutes later, who should show up but the aforementioned duo and their accompaniment of women. My guess is that there was a discussion of hookers and Hennessey being for the taking upstairs at the party and thus, Chuck finally cashed it in....

My only hope for him is that he puts down the poker chips, stop packing on the extra pounds and looks into some Pilates .... or somethin'. Is it just me or is he getting fatter by the week on Inside The NBA? I love ya man but I'm beginning to think the Krispy Kreme's might be affecting your capabilities.