“I Try to Put It on Many Guys as Possible”: Weeks After Hip Surgery and Losing 60 Lbs, Charles Barkley Reveals the Secret Behind His NBA Success

Charles Barkley is one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history, The former Philadelphia 76ers player is now an analyst on Inside the NBA alongside Shaquille O’Neal. The NBA icon is known for his humourous and unapologetic takes on teams and players. 

While Barkley might not have won any championships, he had a celebrated career with two Olympic gold medals. Recently turned 60, Sir Charles revealed the secret to his success in an interview.

Charles Barkley and his secret technique

In conversation with Jennifer Hudson, the former MVP spoke about how it is being a grandparent and his appreciation of the host’s performance in the musical drama Dreamgirls. In response, Hudson asked the Rebounder his special technique for stopping players from getting around him in games. 

The eleven-time All-Star revealed the secret and it is not what we expected! The veteran hilariously shared it was due to his big buttocks! With the crowds going wild laughing, he went on to say “I try to put it on [as] many guys as possible. It’s hard to get around this big a**.”

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He even gave the audience an example from his games saying once someone gets behind him they are stuck there, there is simply no getting around him then. Here’s another example.

While the photo might not be enough, the host asked the former player for a demonstration of the technique. Chuck’s response again had the crowd laughing out of their seats, he said “you want to get stuck there?“

Laughing still, Hudson got up sportingly for the demonstration, confirming Barkley’s claims of it having been a legitimate strategy! In fact Barkley’s back-to-the-wall type offensive strategy was so effective in 1999 a rule was promulgated by the NBA, unofficially known as the Charles Barkley rule that prevents players from dribbling with their back to the basket between the free-throw line and the basket. Barkley’s hilarious hip first move was a deadly offensive weapon.

Barkley decided to get healthier 

Earlier during the year Matt Barnes, former NBA player and host of the All the smoke podcast had gone to meet Barkley in Atlanta to shoot an episode for the show. During the interaction Barnes learned that Barkley had had his second hip-replacement surgery recently and had also lost 50 pounds.  Just a few weeks before that Barkley’s colleague  Shaquille O’Neal had also undergone a massive physical transformation, losing a bunch of weight. 

It is probable that this inspired Barkley to lose weight himself.

What do you think of Barkley’s use of his hips to deflect and cover rival team players? Do you think it contributed to the attrition of his hips over the years?

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