Most of us had “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller as required reading in either high school or college. The tragic story of Willie Loman, a common man, has many lessons that can be applied to our everyday lives. Since our society holds athletes, including former ones like Charles in such a high profile manner, a Greek tragedy might be more fitting. However, Charles Barkley has a way to say things that common people identify with and a personality that has been an excellent fit for NBA broadcasts that frequently draws attention to himself and his network. The attention was turned up a level or 16 on New Year’s Eve when Charles was arrested in Scottsdale, AZ for failing field sobriety tests with a woman that is not his wife.

The reason that I felt Arthur Miller’s novel was especially fitting is that Charles Barkley is a salesman through and through. He sold athletic apparel like few others during his playing days. If it wasn’t for Michael Jordan, Barkley might have won several NBA Championships and athletic apparel everywhere would have his logo on it and not Air Mike’s. Charles was not a role model, just ask him or watch his commercials, and wearing his basketball shoes was nothing more than wearing quality athletic apparel in his eyes. His greatness on the basketball court might have been obscured for some because of his nickname “round mound of rebound” might have partially hid what an incredible basketball talent he was. I’ve met Charles in person and he probably isn’t taller than about 6’ 4”, making his accomplishments even more amazing since he played against power forwards 6 inches taller on a daily basis and dominated them. The mental strength that it took to perform at a hall of fame level at his height just might be the mentality that made created feelings of invincibility and to believe the rules didn’t apply to him. He clearly found out that wasn’t the case.

So why is Arthur Miller appropriate for this article? While Charles is no longer selling athletic apparel and basketball shoes for Nike, he is still in demand for other companies. T-Mobile had prominently featured him in recent years but they have decided to shelve the commercials to evaluate the situation. His network gig was also “put on hiatus” while he works on personal matters. So does this mean that Charles is through? No run for the Governor in 2014? In one word as Yogi Berra might say, “Hell no!” One has to look no further than Kobie Bryant and his rise from the ruins of scandal just a couple years ago to see that time, not even that much these days, heals almost all wounds – sorry Mark McGuire because that doesn’t include you due to cheating being in the societal contract fine print.

When Kobie was accused of a sexual assault, everyone immediately dropped him as a celebrity endorser. No more Nike basketball shoes. No more French fries. Heck, even no more Nutella if anyone even knows what that is. Kobie was sentenced to a life of public scorn for his misdeeds – a life sentence that lasted about 2 years. Now, Kobie is back selling athletic apparel with the launch of his new basketball shoes that we love at www.athleticapparelreview.com. Kobie is selling Guitar Hero and is relevant again. Kobie is back to being an NBA ambassador – all is forgotten as it will be for Charles very soon.

It won’t be long before we hear the apology from Charles Barkley with his family at his side for a press conference. I, for one, think it will be heartfelt. That event will start the healing process so that Charles can get back to his NBA gig, playing golf wearing million dollar athletic apparel with a ten cent golf swing, and get back to losing millions of dollars gambling because the revenues for Charles Barkley Inc will come back again very soon. Death of a salesman will really be more like “pulled hamstring” of a salesman for Charles. Right, wrong, or indifferent, Charles will be back soon. See you in 2014 Governor Barkley.