“I'm not gonna drop dead on television…I've been on a roller coaster since I was 18” – Charles Barkley reflects on his journey as a basketball player

Charles Barkley retired from the NBA following the 1999-2000 season as one of the greatest players the league has ever seen. After a glittering 16-year pro basketball career, “Sir Chuck” signed with TNT in 2000, joining Ernie Johnson Jr. and Kenny Smith at “Inside the NBA.”

For close to four decades, the former MVP has been on television either as a player or as a studio analyst. Based on what Barkley said to Bill Simmons, this is the kind of life that he’s not looking to live forever:

“Like I said earlier, man, I'm not gonna drop dead on television. I want to be in Italy, Spain, France, South Africa, somewhere enjoying life. You know, I've been on a roller coaster a long time, Bill.

"I've been on a roller coaster since I was 18, but the most important thing for me was to help Turner out because they've been great to me, man. I'm going to go my whole life without having a real job. Thanks to that stupid little ball and people turn on their television. So, it's been great.”

Charles Barkley’s contract with TNT was supposed to run out in three years. Earlier this month, the network extended the outspoken analyst’s tenure to seven more years, tying him to the company for at least a decade.

For years, “The Round Mound of Rebound” was adamant that he didn’t want to extend his contract when it expires after the 2024-25 season. Here’s what Barkley previously had to say when asked about his future as a studio analyst:

"It's been a great, great thing. I love Ernie, Kenny, Shaq and everybody we work with. But I just don't feel the need to work until the day I die. I don't, man. I'll be 61 years old if I finish out my contract."

TNT, however, made an offer that Charles Barkley and his Inside the NBA co-hosts couldn’t refuse. Per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the deal is reportedly over $100 million. Barkley, however, has the option to retire before the deal ends. If he sticks through the 10-year agreement, he could earn close to $200 million.

Italy, Spain, France and South Africa will have to wait as Charles Barkley continues to dish out his brand of basketball talk.

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Charles Barkley is already in mid-season form in “Inside the NBA”

Charles Barkley is already in sizzling form in his work at "Inside the NBA."

While covering the NBA on Tuesday night, Charles Barkley said that the games were spectacular. Shaquille O’Neal, who is one of the co-hosts of the show, challenged “Chuck” that he couldn’t spell “spectacular.”

Barkley had to write the word down before he could get it right. He then proudly said:

"That Auburn education pulled me through, America.”

A couple of days ago, Charles Barkley made one of his famous guarantees. This one, though, may raise a few more eyebrows than usual:

“Put it on the board. The Portland Trail Blazers are going to the finals, the NBA Finals.”

The Portland Trail Blazers are undefeated so far this season. They’re currently 4-0 after beating the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets.

The Blazers may eventually have a forgettable season, but people will still remember Barkley’s guarantee because nobody just does it like “Chuck.”