The Story Of Charles Barkley And His Boy Lin's Friendship Is How You Need To Start Your Saturday

[WBUR] – “You know, it was obviously a very difficult time,” Barkley told me recently. “And the next thing I know, he shows up. Everybody’s, like, ‘Who’s the Asian dude over there?’ I just started laughing. I said, ‘That’s my boy, Lin.’ They’re, like, ‘How do you know him?’ I said, ‘It’s a long story.’ “

This was an unbelievable story and sometimes you just need to start the day with a feel good story. That’s what this is. You know when we think of Charles Barkley we think of things like his gambling, golf swing, ridiculous statements on Inside the NBA and then obviously his hoops career. Sometimes we forget that he is just a regular ass human like the rest of us when it comes down to it all.

This was the story of him and and a cat litter scientist named Lin and how they ended up incredibly close friends despite no one really believing it.

“It was, like, one of the most random things,” Barkley recalled with a laugh.

“I was on a business trip,” my dad said, “and stayed in one of the hotels and was walking in the lobby, and I saw Charles Barkley.”

“I was in Sacramento speaking at a charity event,” Barkley said.

“So, I just went to say hi and take a picture with him,” my dad said.

“I was just sitting at the bar,” Barkley said. “And me and your dad were the only two people in there. And we just sit down and started talking.”

“He’s a super nice guy,” my dad said.

“And, before we know it, we looked at each other, like, ‘Yo, man, I’m hungry. Let’s go to dinner,’ ” Barkley said. “It turned into a two-hour dinner. And then we actually went back to the bar and just sit there and talked for another couple of hours. And the rest is history.”

I mean how awesome is that? You’re traveling for business, doing your own thing and winding down for a drink at the bar. Next thing you know you befriend Charles Barkley. That’s something I can’t imagine because it’s rare to hear stories like this, but it goes so much deeper.

Lin showed up for Barkley’s mom funeral back in 2015 in Leeds, Alabama. He somewhat surprised Barkley there and ended up going out to eat with Barkley and his entire family.

But, here’s where it really shows Barkley. Lin battled cancer and didn’t tell Barkley or really anyone. He eventually passed away before his daughter texted Barkley (and the rest of his friends) that her dad had died. Barkley showed up to the funeral. He’s stayed in touch with the family.

Like I said, sometimes you just need to start the day with a feel good story. This was it for me.