Charles Barkley’s time with Philadelphia 76ers: The story behind his statue

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Barkley’s legacy

What Charles Barkley brought to Philadelphia was many years of being the team’s lone star in lieu of their historic 1983 championship win. He was never able to bring them a championship banner, but Barkley brought the city of Philadelphia exciting basketball, especially with Dr. J’s retirement and Finals MVP Moses Malone getting traded two seasons after the championship.

Barkley left the Sixers as the franchise’s fifth best scorer and third best rebounder all-time. He also remains as one of the NBA’s top rebounders in history, making up for his rather small size by bullying and boxing out others in the paint.

Barkley’s game was always on another level, and his accolades are more than enough to solidify himself as an all-time 76er great and rightfully earn him a statue outside the Sixers’ practice facility.

Barkley’s accolades as a Sixer:

All-NBA First team: 4 Times

All-NBA Second team: 3 Times

Rebounds Leader: 1986-1987

All-Rookie First Team: 1984-1985