Men's Journal

Courtesy NBA on TNT

Sir Charles, 46, is in his 10th year calling it like he sees it as an NBA analyst for TNT.

Interviewed by Steven Russell

What’s the best way to get a rebound?

When I started playing, they wouldn’t give me the ball, so I had to get it myself. Everyone is enamored with shooting, but rebounding is what got me drafted. First, forget all this blocking-out shit. Just go get the ball. That’s it. Go. Get. The. Ball. It doesn’t matter who’s in your way. You’re going to get some fouls, but you’re going to get more rebounds. Once you have the ball, always keep it high, because those little guys will be trying to grab it away.

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What experience most changed your life?

Flunking Spanish in high school. I had to go to summer school and didn’t get to graduate with my class. One week I was the big man on campus and everybody was my friend. The next week I found out they really weren’t. I watched graduation and cried for two hours. Nobody cared. That taught me a valuable lesson: You can’t trust everybody around you.

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What skill should every man possess?

It’s important for a man to know how to do his own cleaning around the house. This is just my opinion in life: People who are messy, their whole lives are messy. I don’t believe in stockpiling junk. You use it, then you get rid of it. Clutter depresses me.

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What should every man know about women?

How clean they’re gonna keep his house.

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What should every man know about money?

How to save it. I had to step back and take a look at my gambling. Just because you have money doesn’t mean you should lose it. I haven’t gambled in over a year now. But I know I’m going to gamble again at some point. I’m a Vegas guy. I like going to Vegas.

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What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

When I first got to the NBA, I bought, like, seven cars. Dr. J pulled me aside and told me that you can only drive one car at a time and that the money I made playing basketball had to last me for the rest of my life. He made me take all those cars back.

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What should a man be able to do with his hands?

Get a good manicure. Do it once a week. Because when you shake people’s hands, it’s important to have soft hands.

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What’s the best cure for a hangover?

There’s no cure — you just have to suffer through it. When I got my DUI, I had to take a lot of alcohol-related classes, and I learned that it’s not a good thing when you puke. That’s your body telling you, “Hey, you’re an idiot. You’ve had too much to drink, and I’m going to protect you.”

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When is it okay for a man to lie?

I think it’s important to tell the truth. One reason I’m successful on television is that people know I’m going to call it like I see it. I’ve had players and agents call me to complain, but I tell them, “Look, I’m just doing my job. You didn’t play well.” I hate it when people say I’m outspoken. When white guys speak, they’re experts. When black guys speak, they’re outspoken. People just aren’t used to a black guy having his own opinions and saying what he wants to say.

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What’s the best way to survive in jail?

No matter how long you’re in jail, it’s a long time. Just use the time to think. I was sitting there thinking, I’m a fucking idiot for putting myself in this situation.

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What piece of clothing should every man own?

A bunch of different shoes that go with a bunch of different outfits. I’m a shoe guy. I’ve got 150 pairs.

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What piece of clothing should a man never wear?

I don’t think there’s an answer to that, because it depends on what you look good in. I learned that from Reggie Jackson. He was commenting about fashion one day and says, “Oh, no, no, no. Style doesn’t make you. You make style.”

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What’s the most important room in a man’s house?

Wherever he watches television. I watch sports 24/7 because every time I watch sports there’s a chance I can see greatness.

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What should a man do before he dies?

Every man by a certain stage in life should have done something good. I wanted to run for governor of Alabama, but that’s on the back burner now. Everything I say and everything I do is going to be an issue, and I just don’t need that drama in my life right now. My new goal is to learn Spanish.

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