Charles Barkley is one of the greatest players in NBA history. Barkley was a historic figure in the NBA, enjoying great success as a player. He was a generational talent but was never able to win an NBA championship.
Barkley went to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984, drafted as the fifth pick. Immediately, Barkley made a major impact for the team. Three years into his career, Barkley became an All-Star for the first time. During his time with the 76ers, Barkley led the team to the playoffs, but could never lead the team to the NBA Finals.
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 26: Charles Barkley attends the 2017 NBA Awards at Basketball City – Pier 36 – South Street on June 26, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Gonzalo Marroquin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
This was due to the dominance in the east from the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. However, in 1992, Barkley demanded a trade to Phoenix. In Phoenix, Barkley stepped up his game. He was awarded the NBA MVP award in 1993. He led the team to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
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In the finals, Barkley and the Suns came up against Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The Suns lost the series, but despite this, Barkley continued to go from strength to strength. He kept the Suns in playoff contention, but could not lead them to the promised land.
Thompson defends Charles Barkley
OK…ENUFF IS ENUFF…Time for me to defend Charles Barkley.Please stop saying he never won a Championship.Charles is a TWO TIME…OLYMPIC CHAMPION.Uhhh,THAT COUNTS,people…Ask ANYBODY who has an OLYMPIC Gold medal.CHAMPION! OLYMPIC CHAMPION.THAT counts!
— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) November 28, 2020
Barkley left for Houston in 1996 to team up with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. But he was on his last legs, and could not win a championship with the team. Barkley ended his career with no rings but had the honor of being a 2-time Olympic gold medalist and a member of the historic ‘Dream Team’ in 1992.
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Former NBA Champion Mychal Thompson took to Twitter to defend Charles Barkley not being a ‘champion’. Mychal, the father of Klay Thompson, said that Charles Barkley is a champion for winning Olympic gold medals. He tweeted “OK…ENUFF IS ENUFF…Time for me to defend Charles Barkley. Please stop saying he never won a Championship. Charles is a TWO TIME…OLYMPIC CHAMPION. Uhhh, THAT COUNTS, people…Ask ANYBODY who has an OLYMPIC Gold medal.CHAMPION! OLYMPIC CHAMPION.THAT counts!”
Believe me…Klay is JUST as Proud JUST as THRILLED with his 2016 Rio Gold Medal AND 2014 World Cup Gold Medal as he is with his NBA rings…Olympic CHAMP…World Cup CHAMP…Its ALL CHAMPIONSHIPS…So Charles,in MY book,YOU are a Champion,sir!!! A TWO TIME CHAMPION
— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) November 28, 2020
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Mychal further added that his son Klay Thompson, who also represented the United States on the Olympic stage, was very proud of his gold medals and Charles Barkley should be too.
While Barkley never won an NBA Championship, he did have a stellar career in the NBA. An 11-time All-Star and a former MVP, Barkley is heralded as one of the best players of his generation.
