Funny thing is, the incident never rated a headline -- or any other kind of mention -- in the state's supposed paper of record. Now, Barkley's reported rush for oral sex  -- that's the kind of entertainment news the Republic puts in lights.

In an order of protection filed this week, Angela Nazario alleges the star wide receiver shoved her and pulled her hair last October in his Phoenix home -- while he was holding their infant son.

The story wasn't exactly kept quiet among Valley reporters. According to Minnesota's Star Tribune columnist "C.J.:", the Arizona Cardinals' Mark Dalton "informed me via e-mail that "Larry did speak to the local media during our open locker room period" on Wednesday about the allegations. East Valley Tribune reporter Mike Sakal had an article on the order the same day as TMZ.