“That Day, I Was Pissed”: Charles Barkley Unearths Details Of Almost Resorting to Violence After Former Coach’s Bizarre Measures Hampered with NBA Career

The year 1984 has gone down in the Philadelphia 76ers? history as Charles Barkley?s rookie year. Barkley joined Philly with a group of veterans leading the team, including Julius Erving and Moses Malone, who had led the 76ers to a championship win in the previous year. As a rookie, Barkley made it too the Eastern Conference Finals with the 76ers. Nonetheless, the Chuckster?s early days in the Philadelphia camp were no bed of roses.?

During Barkley’s rookie year, the then 76ers coach Billy Cunningham got so angry at Barkley due to a couple of reasons that the latter was not allowed to start for the 76ers. Barkley, in turn, was also left incensed by the coach’s attitude and felt like resorting to violence.

Charles Barkley would’ve resorted to violence during his rookie year for one specific reason

Charles Barkley has at numerous times spoken at length about him going the extra mile to stay fit and play in the NBA. The 1993 MVP’s early phase with the 76ers was characterized by struggles to maintain fitness. Recently, the Chuckster has revealed another unpleasant episode he had gone through during his rookie year. In his recent appearance on Spittin Chiclets?podcast, the 76ers legend revisited a tough day he had in the Philly camp.

Power forward Marc Iavaroni was a part of the 76ers roster during their triumphant campaign in 1983. Shortly after Barkley joined the Philadelphia side, the franchise traded Iavaroni to the Spurs. As Barkley puts it, the then 76ers owner made the move behind coach Billy Cunningham’s back to force him to start Barkley. Cunningham was starting Iavaroni instead of Barkley because the latter was not in shape. The 76ers’ owner didn’t like the fact that the fifth overall pick of the Draft is not getting enough playing time.

“The owner traded Iavaroni behind my back. I am not f***ing starting you[Charles Barkley]. He traded you behind my back so you could start. You are not starting until you get your a** in shape,” Charles Barkley quoted Billy Cunnigham’s words.

Cunningham then started a player who had not played a year, instead of Barkley.?“It was really a blessing to have a coach who held me to a high standard. To this day, we are really good friends. But that day I was really pissed. I was gonna punch him in the face to be honest with you. He was yelling at me for no reason, as if I made the trade,” Barkley said.

Charles Barkley learned life the hard way as a rookie

Billy Cunningham is not the only person who gave Charles Barkley a hard time for his fitness. Barkley’s idol and 76ers veteran Moses Malone too had called out the Chuckster for being unfit. After Barkley was denied many chances to start for the 76ers, he once went to Malone and asked why he was not in the starting lineup. Moses Malone gave the youngster a harsh yet straightforward reply. He told Barkley that he is fat and lazy and needs to work out.

READ MORE: Years After Shedding His Pride to Treat Painful Condition, Shaquille O?Neal Brings Up Personal Struggles to Justify Latest Act with Charles Barkley

If Barkley felt like punching Cunningham in the face, Malone’s words brought tears to him. The youngster had then cried, but his idol’s words had truly motivated him. The rookie then went the extra mile to secure a place among the greats, and the rest is history.

WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Barkley Makes a Powerful Confession About Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan