Barkley talks to Eskin and Reese

-Transcript courtesy of sportsradiointerviews.com

On the game this weekend between the Redskins and Eagles:
“I can’t wait to get to the game Sunday and I wanna personally thank Mr. Daniel Snyder for sending me my Donovan McNabb Redskins jersey. I cannot wait. I’m a little disturbed because I’m pulling for Michael Vick, but I always have said that Donovan never has gotten the respect he deserves in Philadelphia and before Michael Vick got into the game I did not know that. But I’m wearing my Donovan McNabb jersey and I can’t wait till Sunday at 4:15 Eastern.”

Do you know how stupid it is for you to wear that jersey this weekend?
“I can’t be a Donovan McNabb fan because I’m in Philadelphia? I’ve got to be an Eagles fan? (Host: You were never a Redskins fan correct?) You’re right. I’m a Donovan McNabb fan. (Host: But it’s Philadelphia.) Are you telling me no other fans can wear a jersey in the Linc? (Host: You don’t wear that jersey to this stadium in a rivalry game.) Is that one of the Ten Commandments right behind thou shall not kill? I can be a fan for who I wanna be. (Host: You know you’re gonna get abused right?) Well, I’m not worried about that. When they win the game, I’m gonna get the last laugh too. (Host: When who wins the game?) When the Redskins win the game.”

On why the Redskins will win:
“It’s called karma. It’s called karma Howard. Donovan has never been treated good and it’s karma. The football gods are going to rise up and this is going to get the Redskins season started.”

On whether or not he thinks the fans should cheer McNabb:
“You know what I would love to see the Eagles to do, the first time Donovan McNabb comes into the game, call a timeout and let him get the standing ovation that he so richly deserves. Then after that they can boo the guy and I understand that. They should do something to give the guy the standing ovation he deserves when the game gets started Howard.”

On why there is a debate about cheering or booing McNabb:
“What is the debate about giving the guy who is clearly the greatest quarterback in Eagles history. Clearly, not even close. He’s probably one of the five best players in Eagles history. I’ve been in Philadelphia since 1984 and trust me he’s head and shoulders above every player. Can you believe we’re actually having a debate about what kind of reception one of the five greatest players in Eagles history is going to get?”

On LeBron talking about race being an issue in the criticism he’s received:
“It’s like watching a movie. Just when you think it couldn’t get any stupider, it gets more stupid.”

On LeBron continuing to make bad decisions:
“Howard I’m telling you. Sometimes you just say he’s making bad decisions and you’re like okay, he’s gonna get it together. Then he makes more bad decisions. The thing that’s interesting about LeBron, I don’t think Magic, Michael, and myself, we said we wouldn’t have did it. That’s not a criticism. We were asked a question. I don’t want to play with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, or Michael, I want to beat them. That’s strictly basketball. The only criticism I’ve heard about LeBron and it was my biggest criticism, that decision thing was just stupid. It was stupid. The second thing when they all came out there dancing around on stage, that was silly. That’s the only thing I’ve heard LeBron get criticized about. That has nothing to do with race. That’s what makes this last thing so stupid. That’s stupid. The only criticism of LeBron has been the decision and the one hour of our life that we can’t have back. And ESPN, oh my God. Oh my God. To go down to training camp and report everyday is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen. I’m watching yesterday and one of the guys actually said LeBron looked fierce in practice. I’m like fierce in practice? What the hell does that mean? He was fierce in the second day of training camp. You’re like come on man, he really didn’t say that did he. This summer with LeBron and all the stuff that went on is like a bad movie. You just can’t make this stuff up.”

On the catering to LeBron:
“No question. They do realize the Lakers have won the last two championships. If you’re going to cater to somebody at least cater to the guys who have actually won the last two championships. They have definitely crossed the line and this is unprecedented. This is unprecedented ass kissing.”
Listen to Charles Barkley on WIP in Philly here