Barkley says he'll miss rest of Finals to attend 'fat farm'

NBA fans have seen the last of Charles Barkley for these Finals, with the Basketball Hall of Famer and TNT analyst taking a leave of absence to focus on his health.

"I'm going to a fat farm for the next six weeks," Barkley said Friday following the Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 4 victory over the Golden State Warriors. "I'm embarrassed at how fat I have become. I've become lazy. Number one, I'm not healthy. I'm not healthy. Y'all not going to see me.

"I've got to come back for the awards show (on June 26). But I'm taking the next six weeks to get my fat ass in shape. Not around any ... so I don't drink. I've got to eat healthy, I've got to work out. I'm disappearing until I see y'all."

Barkley added that he's not getting any younger at 54 years of age, saying, "One thing you don't see is a lot of fat old people."

The Finals could end Monday in Game 5 at Oracle Arena, so Barkley's departure may go almost unnoticed on television.