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Charles Barkley gets skinny version of himself statue outside 76ers practice facility

By Kurt HelinSep 14, 2019, 9:00 AM EDT

Charles Barkley looks svelte again.

In a statue form, outside the 76ers practice facility.

The 76ers unveiled a new statue of the “Round Mound of Rebound” from his Philadelphia days outside the Sixers practice facility, and Barkley likes how it looks.

You can see how pleased Chuck was with this sculpture by artist Chad Fisher pic.twitter.com/dPPzxDMEVz

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) September 13, 2019

Charles Barkley: "I don't know if I've ever been that skinny." pic.twitter.com/quKGBXHefY

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) September 13, 2019

Barkley came into the league a little heavy and credited Moses Malone for setting him right.

Charles Barkley took some time to acknowledge the late Moses Malone, whom he credits for having the greatest influence on his career. As a rookie, Chuck asked, “Why am I not getting to play?” Moses told him, “Because you’re fat and you’re lazy.” Then he helped him lose 50 lbs.

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) September 13, 2019

Barkley went on to a Hall of Fame career that included an MVP, 11 All-NBA nods, 11 All-Star teams, and a gold medal as part of the Dream Team in 1992. His best seasons came in that Sixers jersey, it’s fitting he has a statue outside the facility.

Coach of the Year predictions: Quin Snyder, Brad Stevens, or maybe Doc Rivers?

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By Kurt HelinOct 18, 2019, 9:00 AM EDT

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kurt Helin: Quin Snyder (Utah Jazz). This race, like the NBA itself this season, is wide open. And also like the NBA this year, don’t sleep on Utah’s coach picking up some hardware. Outside of that guy in San Antonio, no coach has built a better system and culture than Snyder has in Utah. He has constructed an elite defense around Rudy Gobert owning the paint. On offense, the Jazz can’t just throw the ball to a Stephen Curry or James Harden, so Snyder has implemented a ball and player movement system that keeps defenses off balance. Utah won 50 games last season and this season adds quality veterans in Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic — guys who will fit in with that culture. The Jazz are a high profile, potential contending team this season because of what Snyder has built, and the improved status will have voters wanting to recognize Snyder.

Dan Feldman: Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics). Stevens is a good coach. He has flaws, most notably recently his inability to connect with a star like Kyrie Irving. Irving can be particularly difficult to coach, but some of his issues follow most top talents. Stevens will have to show growth in his ability to guide a championship contender. But with these Celtics, Stevens can coach to his strengths — communicating clear roles to his players in a sound scheme. There’s a clear path for Boston to have a good record in the East, and credit for Stevens would likely follow.

Dane Delgado: Alvin Gentry (New Orleans Pelicans). The New Orleans Pelicans have a tough road ahead, with several new players and an outstanding rookie that still needs to get accustomed to life in the NBA. But there’s a lot of hope in The Big Easy that Zion Williamson and the Pelicans will be a postseason team this year, and you can count me in the camp of folks who believe New Orleans will make that leap in it 2019-20. If that’s the case, head coach Alvin Gentry will be tops on the list out west to take home the award for best coach in the NBA. Gentry has a bit of a head start — he’s a proven coach, and last year his team battled admirably through the Anthony Davis trade fiasco. If Gentry can go from 33 wins to the playoffs, one season removed from losing a franchise cornerstone player, I’m not sure who else would even challenge him for Coach of the Year.

Harrison and Brittany Barnes to pay for funeral of Atataina Jefferson

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By Dane DelgadoOct 18, 2019, 8:00 AM EDT

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Harrison Barnes now plays for the Sacramento Kings, but he and wife Brittany still have ties back in Texas. Barnes played for two-and-a-half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, and now the couple is stepping in to help the community back in Dallas in a big way.

According to multiple reports, the Barneses have offered to pay for the funeral of Atatiana Jefferson, a Texas woman shot and killed by a Forth Worth Police Department officer last week.

That officer, Aaron Dean, has since resigned and been charged with Jefferson’s murder.

Via Twitter:

Former Dallas Maverick, now a Sacramento Kings player, @hbarnes and his wife @BrittanyLBarnes are playing for #AtatianaJefferson funeral in full. Amazing. No surprise — the couple continues to be philanthropic, especially here in DFW.

— Allison Harris (@AllisonFox4News) October 17, 2019

Jefferson was reportedly watching her 8-year-old nephew when a neighbor called in a welfare check to the non-emergency police line. The neighbor noticed her door was open, and police responded at 2:25 a.m.

From NBC News:

Body camera footage shows the perspective of the officer outside the home, peering inside a window using a flashlight, spotting someone inside standing near a window and telling her, “Put your hands up — show me your hands,” before shooting seconds later. At no point does he identify himself as an officer.

This is extremely generous on the part of the Barnes family and another example of how players can come to grow close to the places they play in.

Lakers exercise 4th-year contract option on Kyle Kuzma

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Associated PressOct 17, 2019, 11:59 PM EDT

John Wall will be an assistant coach for the Wizards this season

By Dane DelgadoOct 17, 2019, 11:00 PM EDT

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John Wall won’t be playing for the Washington Wizards of this season, but he will have a chance to do something for the team that’s helpful. With Bradley Beal back on board after signing a 2-year, max-level extension, Wall will be helping coach Scott Brooks from the sidelines.

According to a new story from NBC Sports Washington, Wall will be helping Brooks this season in an assistant coaching role. For his part, Wall has said that he is excited about the opportunity, and that it’s a chance to see what his life after basketball might hold when it comes to potentially getting into coaching.

Via NBC Sports Washington:

“I think this year will tell me whether I can be a coach or not,” Wall told NBC Sports Washington on the Wizards Talk podcast.

“I think you have to have a lot of patience and you’ve gotta know how to interact with every player. Every player’s attitudes and character and mood swings are totally different. I learned from when a coach tried to coach me when I was young and I wasn’t the guy to coach.”

This is a good idea to keep Wall around the team and engaged. It would be sort of weird if Wall just wasn’t around while he did rehab, then expected to come back as the top dog next season.

He may never be the player he was before his injury, but if Wall remains with Brooks on the sideline for the remainder of the season it would mean he’s at least committed to taking the culture seriously in D.C. That, or he doesn’t want Beal to usurp his throne.