Charles Barkley

At 61 years old, Charles Barkley has this physical status:

Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963) is an American retired professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on Inside the NBA.

Nicknamed Chuck, Sir Charles, Street Beef, and The Round Mound of Rebound, Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominant power forwards.

An All-American power forward at Auburn University, he was drafted as a junior by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 5th pick of the 1984 NBA draft.

He was selected to the All-NBA First Team five times, the All-NBA Second Team five times, and once to the All-NBA Third Team.

He earned eleven NBA All-Star Game appearances and was named the All-Star MVP in 1991.

In 1993 with the Phoenix Suns, he was voted the league's Most Valuable Player, and during the NBA's 50th anniversary, named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

He competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and won two gold medals as a member of the United States' "Dream Team".

Barkley is a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2006 for his individual career, and in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team".Barkley was popular with the fans and media and made the NBA's All-Interview Team for his last 13 seasons in the league.

He was frequently involved in on- and off-court fights and sometimes stirred national controversy, as in March 1991 when he spat on a young girl while attempting to spit at a heckler, and as in 1993 when he declared that sports figures should not be considered role models.

Though shorter than the typical power forward, Barkley used his strength and aggressiveness to become one of the NBA's most dominant rebounders.

He was a versatile player who had the ability to score, create plays, and defend.

In 2000, he retired as the fourth player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists.Since retiring as a player, Barkley has had a successful career as an NBA analyst.

He works with Turner Network Television (TNT) alongside of Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson as a studio pundit for its coverage of NBA games and is a spokesman for CDW.

In addition, Barkley has written several books and has shown an interest in politics.

In October 2008, he announced that he would run for Governor of Alabama in 2014, but he changed his mind in 2010.

Early life

Barkley was born and raised in Leeds, Alabama, 10 miles outside Birmingham. He was the first black baby born at a segregated, all-white town hospital and was in the first group of black students at his elementary school. His parents divorced when he was young after his father abandoned the family, which included younger brother Darryl Barkley. His mother remarried and they had a son, John Glenn. Another brother, Rennie, died in infancy. His stepfather was killed in an accident when Charles was 11 years old.

He attended Leeds High School. As a junior, Barkley stood 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and weighed 220 pounds (100 kg). He failed to make the varsity team and was named as a reserve. However, during the summer Barkley grew to 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and earned a starting position on the varsity as a senior. He averaged 19.1 points and 17.9 rebounds per game and led his team to a 26–3 record en route to the state semi-finals. Despite his improvement, Barkley garnered no attention from college scouts until the state high school semi-finals, where he scored 26 points against Alabama's most highly recruited player, Bobby Lee Hurt. An assistant to Auburn University's head coach, Sonny Smith, was at the game and reported seeing, "a fat guy... who can play like the wind". Barkley was soon recruited by Smith and majored in business management while attending Auburn University.

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NBA career

Barkley did not return to Auburn until his last year as a member of the 1984 NBA draft. Michael Jordan was chosen with the fifth pick in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers, two slots after the Chicago Bulls drafted him. He was part of a veteran team that included Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks, all players who helped Philadelphia win the 1983 NBA championship. Barkley was able to control his weight and learned how to plan and prepare for a game under Malone's tutelage; Barkley cited Malone as the most influential player of his career, and he often referred to him as "Dad." He averaged 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game during the regular season and earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team. The Sixers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in the postseason, but the Boston Celtics defeated them in five games. Barkley averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game as a rookie in the postseason.

Barkley's second year as the team's top rebounder and number two shooter, averaging 20.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game during his second year as he under his tutelage. He was the Sixers' starting power forward and helped guide his team into the playoffs, scoring 25.0 points on.578 shooting from the field and 15.8 rebounds per game. Despite his best efforts, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated Philadelphia 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He was selected to the All-NBA Second Team.

Moses Malone was traded to the Washington Bullets and Barkley began to assume command as the team leader before the 1986-87 season. Barkley lost 125-121 to the Indiana Pacers on November 4, 1986, scoring 34 points, ten rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists. Barkley defeated the Denver Nuggets 116–106 on March 20, 1987, with 26 points, 25 rebounds (career high tying 16 offensive rebounds), and nine assists. He earned his first and only rebounding title, averaging 14.6 rebounds per game, and also led the league in offensive rebounds with 5.7 per game. He averaged 23.0 points on a 594 shooting for his first return to an NBA All-Star game and All-NBA Second Team awards for the second straight season. Barkley lost in a losing effort in a five-game first-round playoff series for the second year in a row.

Julius Erving announced his retirement during the season, and Barkley became the Sixers' franchise player. Barkley defeated the Blazers 114-106 on November 30, 1988, with 41 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and six steals. Barkley had his most enjoyable season in 80 games and gained 300 more minutes than his nearest teammate, shooting 28.3 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game. For the second time in his career, he was a member of the All-NBA First Team in his second All-Star Game and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the second time in his career. The Sixers' franchise star's fame brought him his first appearance on the Sports Illustrated cover. The 76ers failed to qualify for the first time since the 1974-75 season, but not for the first time since the 1974-1975 season. Barkley continued to play well in the 1988–89 season, averaging 25.8 points on.579 shooting and 12.5 rebounds per game. He made his third straight All-Star Game appearance and was named to the All-NBA First team for the second season in a row. Despite Barkley's 27.0 points on a.644 shooting, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, the 76ers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks.

Despite receiving more first-place votes, Barkley came in second second place in MVP voting behind Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989-1990s. The Sporting News and Basketball Weekly named him Player of the Year. He averaged 25.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as well as a career-best.600 shooting. For the third year in a row, he was named to the All-NBA First Team and received his fourth All-Star selection. He aided Philadelphia in 53 regular-season games, but the Chicago Bulls then lost in a five-game Eastern Conference Semi-finals series. In another postseason loss, Barkley lost 24.7 points and 15.5 rebounds. His outstanding play continued into his seventh season, where he scored 27.6 points on.570 shootings and 10.1 rebounds per game. His fifth straight All-Star Game appearance was his best to date. With 17 points and 22 rebounds, the East defeated the West 116-114, the most rebounds in an All-Star Game since Wilt Chamberlain recorded 22 in 1967. Barkley was named to the All-Star Game for the fourth year in a row, and at the end of the season, he was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth year in a row. "I would select Barkley or Jordan for his team's in a hypothetical pickup game," Robinson said when the New York Times asked San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson if he would select Barkley or Jordan for his team's in a hypothetical pickup game. "I think he has the best effect ever" when he is on his game. Philadelphia fell in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals to Jordan's Chicago Bulls, losing by 24.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Barkley's last year in Philadelphia was 1991-92. Magic Johnson, who had known he was HIV-positive before the season, wore number 32 instead of his 34 to honor him. Although the 76ers had originally retired the number 32 in honor of Billy Cunningham, it was never reinstated, with Cunningham's blessing for Barkley to wear. Barkley apologised for denying Johnson's message after the fact that he had revealed it. Barkley replied to fears that players might contract HIV by being in contact with Johnson, "We're just playing basketball." It's not as if we're going to have unprotected sex with Magic."

Barkley made his sixth straight All-Star appearance on either the first or second team in his last season with the Sixers, averaging 23.1 points on.552 shooting and 11.1 rebounds per game. He ended his 76ers career with fourth in total points (14,184), third in scoring average (23.3 ppg), third in assists (7,079), eighth in assists (2,276) and second in field-goal percentage (.576). For seven years, he led Philadelphia in rebounding and field-goal percentages, as well as six years in scoring. However, Barkley demanded a trade out of Philadelphia after the Sixers failed to make the playoffs with a 35–47 record. Barkley was originally signed to the Los Angeles Lakers before the season ended, but the 76ers wound up pulling out their contract just a few hours later. He was officially traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang, who were on July 17, 1992.

He became a household name during Barkley's eight seasons in Philadelphia and was one of the few NBA players to have an action figure created by Kenner's Starting Lineup toy line. Nike also had his own signature shoe collection. Despite his outspoken and aggressive play, he culminated in some on-court incidents, including one against Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer in 1990, which resulted in a record-breaking fine.

Barkley spit on a fan who was allegedly mocking with racial insults on March 26, 1991, but the retaliation was his spit hitting a young teen. Barkley's president of operations at the time, Rod Thorn, suspended the team without compensation for one game and fined him $10,000 for spitting and verbally insulting the fan. Barkley was vilified for it, and it became a national story. Barkley, on the other hand, formed a bond with the child and her family. He apologised and, among other things, gave them tickets to future games.

Barkley was later quoted as saying, "I was quite controversial, I guess, but I regret only one thing: the spitting incident."

But you know what?

It was a valuable lesson that I learned. It showed me that I was getting way too tense during the game. It made me feel that I was meant to win way too bad. I had to chill for a few minutes. I wanted to win at any price. "I only thought about winning rather than playing the right way and respecting the game."

Both Barkley and the Suns enjoyed their time in Phoenix during the 1992-93 season. Barkley nearly triple-double in his first game with the Suns after scoring 37 points, 21 rebounds (12 of which were offensive rebounds), and 8 assists in a 111-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 25.6 points on a.520 shooting, 12.2 rebounds, and a career high of 5.1 assists per game, leading the Suns to their best 62-20 record. Barkley earned the league's Most Valuable Player Award for his efforts, and he was selected to play in his seventh straight All-Star Game. He became the first NBA player to win league MVP awards in the season straight after being traded, accumulated multiple career highs, and led Phoenix to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1976. Despite Barkley's proclamation to Jordan that the Suns had "destiny" to win the title, they were defeated in six games by the Chicago Bulls. During the entire season, he averaged 26.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game, with 27.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game throughout the championship series. Barkley earned a triple-double in the fourth game of the Finals after accumulating 32 points, 12 rebounds, and ten assists.

Barkley began to conceive that the 1993–94 season would be his last in Phoenix due to severe back pains. Barkley's game was plagued by his injuries, with a 495 shooting and 11.2 rebounds per game. He was called to his eighth consecutive All-Star Game but he did not participate due to a torn right quadriceps tendon injury and was not able to play for the All-NBA Second Team. With Barkley's illness, the Suns also managed a 56-26 record and made it to the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite leading by a 2–0 lead in the series, the Suns lost in seven games to the Houston Rockets, the eventual champions, who were led by Hakeem Olajuwon. Barkley reached 23 of 31 field-goal attempts and finished with 56 points, the highest number in a playoff game ever, despite his injuries. Barkley returned for his eleventh season and continued to battle injuries after considering retirement in the off-season. He struggled in the first half of the season, but he continued to improve, winning his ninth straight appearance in the All-Star Game. He averaged 23 points on 1.404 shots and 11.1 rebounds per game, while the Suns led the Suns to a 59–23 record. The Suns lost in seven games to the defending and eventual two-time champion Houston Rockets, despite having a 3–1 lead in the series. Barkley averaged 25.7 points on.500 shootings and 13.4 rebounds per game in the postseason, but the semi-finals were limited due to a leg injury in Game 7.

Barkley's last with the Phoenix Suns in 1995-96 was during his time as a coach. On a.500 shooting, 11.6 rebounds, and a career high.777 free throw shot, he led the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, averaging 23.3 points on 3.3 percent, 11.6 rebounds, and a career high of.777 free throw shooting. On November 22, he made his tenth appearance in an All-Star Game as the top vote-getter among Western Conference players and recorded his 18th triple-double in his career. He also became the tenth player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds in their careers. Barkley averaged 25.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in a four-game playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Barkley was traded to Houston in exchange for Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant, and Chucky Brown after the Suns closed out the season with a 41-41 record and a first-round playoff loss.

Barkley excelled during his time with the Suns, earning All-NBA and All-Star accolades in each of his four seasons.

Barkley argued that athletes should not be considered role models throughout his career. "A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail; should they be role models?" His argument in 1993 prompted national attention when he wrote the text for his Nike commercial "I am not a role model." Barkley's long-awaited call for parents and teachers to abandon looking to him to "lift your children" and instead be role models themselves, according to Dan Quayle, the former Vice President of the United States.

Barkley's message sparked a lot of public discussion about the role models' origins.

He argued:

Barkley's last hope of winning an NBA championship was when he traded to the Houston Rockets in the 1996–97 season. Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, two of NBA's 50 Greatest Players, joined him on a veteran team. Barkley was suspended for the season opener and fined $5,000 for battling Charles Oakley during a preseason game on October 25, 1996. Barkley retaliated by shoving Oakley after Oakley committed a flagrant foul on Barkley. Charles Barkley had a career-high 33 rebounds in his first game with the Houston Rockets. He continued to suffer with injuries through the season, playing only 53 games, missing 14 out of a laceration and bruise on his left ankle, 11 due to a strained right ankle, and four because of suspensions. He was the team's second-leading scorer on a.484 shooting, his first game since his rookie season, in which he averaged less than 20 points per game. Barkley concentrated on rebounding, shooting at 13.5 per game, the second-best in his career, with Olajuwon taking the majority of the shots. The Rockets ended the regular season with a 57-25 record and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Utah Jazz in six games. In another post-season loss, Barkley averaged 17.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.

Barkley's 1997-98 season was another year of injury plagued play. On a.485 shooting and 11.7 rebounds per game, he averaged 15.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. In the first round of the playoffs, the Rockets had a 41–41 record and were eliminated in five games by the Utah Jazz. Barkley played four games in the series and set career lows of 9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game, owing to injuries. Barkley played 42 regular-season games and gained 16.1 points on.478 shooting and 12.3 rebounds per game during the lockout season. Following Wilt Chamberlain's retirement, he became the second NBA player to record 23,000 points, 12,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists in his career. The Rockets ended the season with a 31–19 record and advanced to the playoffs. Barkley averaged 23.5 points on.529 shooting and 13.8 rebounds per game in his last postseason appearance, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a first-round playoff loss. In 123 games, he ended his postseason career with averaging 23 points on.513 shooting, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.

Barkley's last year in the NBA was 1999-2000. Barkley's averaged 14.5 points on a 4.7 percent shooting and 10.5 rebounds per game to start. Barkley was suspended from a November 10, 1999 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, along with Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal shoved Barkley, who then threw the ball at O'Neal after O'Neal blocked a layoff. Barkley's season and career ended prematurely at the age of 36 after rupturing his left quadriceps tendon in Philadelphia, where his career began on December 8, 1999. Barkley returned after four months for one last game, refusing to allow his injury to be the last photograph of his career. Barkley scored a memorable basket against the Vancouver Grizzlies on April 19, 2000 in a home game against the Vancouver Grizzlies, a common feature throughout his career. After being activated from the injured list, he did what he set out to do and walked off the court to a standing ovation. "I can't tell what tonight means," he said. It was me. I've won and lost a lot of games, but the last memory I had was being kicked off the courtroom. I couldn't get over the mental blockament of being taken off the courthouse. It was vital to me, not to walk off the court on my own." Barkley resigned and started his 16-year Hall of Fame service right after the basket.

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