May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Former NBA player and current TNT television personality Charles Barkley prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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Charles Wade Barkley was the #5 overall selection by the 76ers in the 1984 draft, and was one of the best picks in Sixers history. A hall of fame inductee in 2006, Barkley did the most with his god given talent, and size that any man could do in the NBA.
Standing at just 6’6” Barkley was an undersized power forward that had an amazing ability to eat up rebounds. He was a versatile player who had the ability to score, create plays, and defend. His toughness, and heart was well-documented throughout his career, and it was easy to like “The Round Mound of Rebound.”
Rebounding wasn’t the only aspect of his game the Barkley has success with. He was a prolific scorer in his 8 years with Philadelphia averaging 23 points a game. Barkley was a double-double machine throughout his entire career never averaging less than double digits in either category besides his rookie year. And that rookie year was on a team with Dr. J, and Moses Malone fresh off of a championship, so Barkley wasn’t the focal point.
Despite his success, Barkley’s career did not go without controversy as he was known to have a bad temper, and battled with coaches often. His frustration came to a boil in 1992 when he was moved to the Phoenix Suns in what would go down as the most lopsided trade of the decade.
Barkley experienced similar success in Phoenix over the next four years, but an NBA title still eluded him. In a last ditch effort to win a ring, Barkley joined the Houston Rockets in 1996 trying to help Hakeem Olajuwon and company win their second championship, but it was to no avail.
When “Sir Charles” officially retired in 2000, he was just the fourth player in NBA history to compile 20,000 points, and 10,00 rebounds.
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