Charles Barkley owns a decorated basketball resume, most of which he accomplished with the Phoenix Suns. Despite standing only 6'6", "The Round Mount of Rebound" redefined the power forward position by relying on his power and wits to outmaneuver opposing players.
However, the physicality of his style of play eventually cost Sir Charles. Injuries started to creep in as a result of his banging bodies with other players on a nightly basis. Back pains and creaky knees hampered the 1993 Most Valuable Player, forcing him to miss some games or play with constraints.
Banged up Barkley
Considering all of this, it was unsurprising that the 5th overall pick of the 1984 Draft entertained the idea of retiring. He was pretty bothered by his injuries and even admitted that they affected his performance.
"It's just time. It's time. I can't see my skills getting better; I can only see them getting worse," Barkley said in 1995 via NYT .
Chuck made those comments after the Suns got eliminated by the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals, 4-3. The Rockets went on to win the 1995 NBA title that season.
Although he was hurting, Barkley still managed to put up good numbers. In that series, the Auburn standout averaged 22.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 38 minutes of action. In his last game as a Sun, the All-Star forward finished with 18 points, 23 rebounds and five assists.
Barkley's last chance for a title
Ironically, in the 1995 offseason, Barkley was shipped to the Rockets for four players. It was Charles' last chance to win a title, teaming up with fellow legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Despite better odds, Barkley admitted that winning an NBA title with the Rockets alongside Olajuwon and Drexler was almost like cheating .
"I wouldn't even have counted that as a championship. I'm not going to lie. Me and Karl Malone — if he had won a championship with the Lakers, that doesn't count. That doesn't count," Chuckster stated .
Despite his talent, the Rockets failed to get much out of Barkley. Charles spent a great deal of time on the sidelines as injuries continued to hound "The Round Mount." Barkley would cap his colorful NBA career on April 2000 in a home game against the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Barkley ended his career without an NBA ring but undoubtedly left a legacy that would be hard to surpass. Despite his "handicap" in the height department, Sir Charles redefined how a player could rise above the rest through sheer tenacity and a high basketball IQ.
Related: "That guy sent me a message tonight, and I didn't like the message" - When Michael Jordan dominated Charles Barkley and the Suns in their first clash of the season
Local News
Comments / 0