NBA analyst Charles Barkley has taken an interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning this postseason, even attending the team's Game 7 win against the New York Rangers, and celebrating with the team afterwards.

NBA analyst Charles Barkley has taken an interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning this postseason, even attending the team's Game 7 win against the New York Rangers, and celebrating with the team afterwards.

His fandom rose to a new level when the team arrived in Chicago prior to their Game 3 victory Monday night against the Blackhawks, as the NBA Hall of Famer not only recommended a restaurant for the team's coaches, but also picked up the tab for the 20 staff members in attendance.

Barkley called ahead to Chicago Cut Steakhouse to arrange for the Lightning's bill to be charged to his card, and because he was in such a giving mood, he also picked up the bill for ESPN's Steve Levy and Barry Melrose, who were in town for the game, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Barkley struck up a friendship with Lightning head coach Jon Cooper earlier this season when the two met by chance in Los Angeles, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

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[Larry Brown Sports]

- Brendan Maloy