OKC Charm Rubbing Off On 'Sir Charles'

Charles Barkley has changed his tune about what he thinks about Oklahoma City. 

Barkley's been in town since Wednesday, covering the Western Conference Finals for TNT.  A few years ago, Barkley upset Oklahomans because he called Oklahoma City an irrelevant cow town.  To his credit, Sir Charles spent the past few days touring the Oklahoma City area. 

News 9 caught up to Sir Charles Friday afternoon, just after he stopped at the National Bombing Museum during a VIP tour.

"[It's] a lot different than you think it is. I would recommend it to anybody when they are in town," Barkley said.

Barkley made his grand entrance into Thursday night's Thunder-Spurs TNT pregame show on a horse.   And he's not really backing down from those comments he made a few years ago. However, he now readily admits OKC has come a long way.

"It's amazing what they've done. I'm really happy with what the Thunder are accomplishing, Scott Brooks and Maurice Cheeks, very good series so far," Barkley said.

Barkley says one of the local places he really wants to get to before he leaves is Billy Sims' Barbecue.  But he says TNT's keeping him so busy, he doesn't know if he will make it.