Round mound of city hall?

By Joe McAdory

Published: April 17, 2008

Former Auburn basketball and NBA star Charles Barkley suggested he might jump into politics after all. Wednesday on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show,“ Barkley said he might be interested in running for mayor of Leeds, where he grew up.

“I know I can do better than the people that are doing stuff there now,“ Barkley told Leno. “We’ve got too many crooks on the city council. “Leeds, Alabama ... the greatest place in the world, but it needs to do better. And I’m the man for the job.“

In the past, Barkley has mentioned running for governor. But with no political experience, probably the best bet is to start with smaller aspirations. His basketball career began in Leeds, so the small town in St. Clair County figures to be a good launching pad for another career.