Re: What is it about Barkley?

[ishbak <ishbak@conknet.com>]

On Thu, 09 Dec 1999, you wrote:
> What is it about Barkley that is likable?  If a number of other players did some of the things he did, they would be vilified.  

I think it's mostly a matter of context. Barkeley may have been obnoxious, but
he was never the one to throw the first punch. But when people tried to rile
him, he responded. There have been numerous lawsuits against him, but no jury
has found him in the wrong.  

>Can you imagine if Spre threw someone through a plate
>glass window or spat on a fan? 

Again it's a matter of context. Barkeley was being taunted when he spat, and
the guy he threw through the window had thrown a drink on him before that(the
poor victim went from being thrower to throwee, which I found rather ironic).
Sprewell attacked Carlisimo just because he irritated him, not exactly
excusable. People don't usually find fault when they think self-defense is
involved(I'm not saying the Barkeley wasn't overzealous...).

> Yet, not only did he do it, but he retained
>respect.  Is he a con man? 

Again I think it's a matter of self defense(real or imagined). Self defense is
considered justified, while aggression is not. People percieve Barkeley's
actions as self-defense, hence they are justified. The same is not true for
the people considered "malcontents"(spree, Iverson, Rider ...). The other thing
is that when he did something he considered wrong(spitting on the little girl),
he appeared genuinely sorry(I don't think Spree ever gave anything even
approaching an apology after his attack). 


Noah