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HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA – MAY 24: Charles Barkley commentates from the booth during The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club on May 24, 2020 in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)
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HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA – MAY 24: Charles Barkley commentates from the booth during The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club on May 24, 2020 in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)
Retiring with an NBA title is the dream for any athlete looking to make it big in the league. However, some of the greatest players in the game have never won a ring but that doesn’t discredit any of their other achievements. NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is the perfect example of a player who has won everything other than a ring. Recently, Damian Lillard made some very interesting comments on the growing ring culture in the NBA.
Dame Lillard has not won the title despite being one of the best players of his generation. After his recent comments on the ring culture, NBA fans indulged in a major debate after a user pointed out that ‘ring culture’ only exists to demean Lillard’s brilliant career. However, fans of Charles Barkley were quick to call out the major flaw in the statement.
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NBA fans come to the rescue of Charles Barkley amidst a major ‘ring’ debate
Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal making fun of Barkley for not winning a ring is almost synonymous with the ‘Inside the NBA’ show. Despite winning almost everything possible, Chuck failed to win an NBA title.
There have been numerous discussions over the years over the ring culture and whether or not a title defines the greatness of a player. Recently, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard chimed into the debate.
He said, “While I understand we play to win championships—we all want to win the championship—we can’t keep acting like nothing matters.”
This urged a Twitter user to claim that ring culture only exists so as to put pressure on Lillard. Following this claim, NBA fans went all guns blazing to call out the controversial claim. Here are some of the reactions.
Michael Jordan been teasing Barkley not having no rings since the beginning of time
— YG ADDIE A$AP ANT ADDIE PITINO (@ygAddie) March 15, 2023
They did it to Kobe. They did it to Charles since he’s been on tnt.
— David (@kingofca831) March 14, 2023
Not true at all. There is a reason guys like Stockton, GP and Malone played until their 40s. They were killing Kobe because he couldn't win without Shaq too. Ring culture was here long before Lebron got it and will be too after he retires.
— Omar 👑 (@omar_badaSS) March 14, 2023
Let's not lie for likes now
Yeah I never heard Shaq make fun of Barkley for never winning a ring.
— Stacks (@Jay_Stacks) March 14, 2023
Nah if u don’t win they disrespect yo name melo Barkley Iverson Westbrook dame
— Bigdawg (@Bigdawg44735892) March 14, 2023
As the above reactions suggest, fans were quick to call out that players in the past were also bashed for not winning an NBA title. Similar to Barkley, Hall of Famer Karl Malone has not won a league title. Additionally, Allen Iverson is also a name that is regularly mentioned when talking about players who never won an NBA title.
Michael Jordan squashed Barkley’s best shot at an NBA title
Charles Barkley led the Phoenix Suns to an NBA final in 1993 where they faced the Chicago Bulls. Although the Suns launched a valiant effort against the Bulls, Michael Jordan and co got the better of Chuck.
The Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns 4-2 with Jordan winning the Finals MVP award. The six-time NBA champion averaged 41.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
WATCH THIS STORY: 5 times Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal had heated fights on Inside The NBA
Do you agree with the ring culture debate? Let us know in the comments down below.
