DENVER — When the Denver Nuggets went up 2-0 against the Los Angeles Lakers, TNT analyst Charles Barkley had seen enough.
He guaranteed the Nuggets would win the 2023 NBA Finals, which was also exciting to him for another reason.
"I can't wait to get to the Finals because I know they have good golf courses out there in Denver," Barkley said during Game 2 coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals. "Hey Peyton Manning, I'm calling you."
"And that ball flies out there," host Ernie Johnson added.
"I'm going to the Mile High. Peyton and Sean [Payton] get the golf courses ready, Chuck coming," Barkley said "That ball fly out there."
We now know that Chuck and Peyton did indeed get together for a round of golf in the Denver metro area, and there's at least one additional golf course "Sir Charles" has also been spotted.
Barkley followed up on his excitement to golf in Denver a few nights later when he revealed he had received a response.
"Hey Sean Payton, I got your text. You and Peyton, we're playing Castle Pines. I'm ready," Barkley said.
Manning also posted on Instagram that he and Payton were ready to take on Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal.
However, it's not clear if they ended up playing there because the photo of them golfing came from elsewhere.
Manning posted a photo of him and Barkley golfing at the Cherry Hills Village course before Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday.
"Pre Game Match," Manning said. "Let’s Go @nuggets #nbafinals"
Cassie Tanner on Twitter came across Barkley on Friday at the course in Arvada.
She said she couldn't contain herself and had to tell Barkley she loved him as he walked through the dining room.
"Worth it (he said I love you too girl)," she posted.
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