I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It
by Charles Barkley

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Book Reviews of I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

Book Review: "I'm tired of talking about stuff that doesn't matter"--C.B.
Summary: 3 Stars

Barkley writes about many issues, but does not get into too much depth on anything. Even his reflections on his childhood in Leeds, Alabama jumps around. Insights from being in the NBA so many years are mostly general and only really touch the surface. Tidbits that piqued my interest, like the fact that NBA players get a new pair of basketball shoes for every game and that many of the younger players today do not listen to the advice of Barkley and other statesmen of the game are only mentioned. His experience as member of the legendary Dream Team would benefit from more depth, though he does mention an eye-opening moment with Magic Johnson not long after Johnson announced he was HIV positive (pg. 190).

Other times, I think he takes the safe route on issues. He devotes significant space to his belief that Catholic Priests found guilty of sexually abusing children should be put in jail...OK. He also stops short of controversy. He will make a statement like: "Bobby Knight pretty much just wanted to keep guys he could control [on the 1984 Olympic team]. There were a lot of good players who were cut, guys who were better than ones who made the team" (pg 177). Well, how were the players who made the team more controllable? Who made the team who was not better than some who were cut? Alas, these questions are never answered. He mentions players who should have made the Fifty Greatest NBA players list (pg. 187). That's easy, but the harder more controversial part, mentioning names who should be replaced by these players, is not touched on.

He does discuss important issues like racism ("people rarely talk about race until something tragic or ugly happens," pg. 42) and topics that make you think, like the idea that professional athletes can have a greater impact through business than through athletics or media double standards for players surrounded by controversial situations like Patrick Roy, Jason Kidd, and the late Darryl Kile. (pp. 89-90). Other times, he skips around to all sorts of topics from militias to African Americans winning Oscars. The book is written in a chatty manner with a lot of repetition and no strong attention to organization. Some of his comments are already dated (i.e. that Kobe Bryant has not done anything to embarrass himself or his family and that no high school student or one-year college student coming into the NBA has made an immediate impact). Still, for the most part, it is a fun book that most Barkley fans will enjoy. Just don't expect to be amazed.

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