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Image Courtesy: IMAGO
Imago
Image Courtesy: IMAGO
Charles Barkley might not have a ring, but he has an illustrious career to boast of. 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 1 league MVP- not bad for a 6’6 big in an era of giants. But there are moments in his career that Barkley holds closer than others. One of them is surprisingly standing next to his former friend and on-court rival, Michael Jordan. In the recent episode of the podcast, ?The Steam Room,? Chuck described the coolest moment in his life when he was standing next to His Airness and Magic Johnson.
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Recalling Barkley’s career brings back a flood of rash and cool moments to mind, painting a vivid picture of his unconventional dominance in the NBA. But for the legend, it is one particular moment in 1992 that he finds himself returning to the most.
Charles Barkley?s proud moment in his career
The summer of 1992 was bright for the Round Mound of Rebound. Charles Barkley attracted international attention after his historic run alongside the Chicago Bulls legend for Team USA.?While speaking on ?The Steam Room?, the Philadelphia 76ers legend said, ?The coolest moment – and I’ve done it twice – when you represent your country, and they play that national anthem. Like, I was standing beside Magic and Michael.”
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Aug 1992: Chris Mullin (L), Charles Barkley (M) and Magic Johnson (R) of Team USA, the Dream Team, on the victor’s podium after winning the gold medal in the men’s basketball competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
The 1993 NBA MVP added, “We were all sitting there like, damn, I got goosebumps. Like, when they put that gold medal around your neck and they’re playing the national anthem- you’re just like ‘Whoa!'”
In 1992, the Dream team beat 8 opponents making an average of 44 points. This was also the first Olympic team to include the NBA stars. Chuck was the leading scorer of the Dream Team, averaging 18.0 points per game. Barkley called it the “coolest thing” he’s ever experienced.
?The time he played alongside Jordan also held much significance to him. However, the same wasn?t the case with him in 1996.
Charles Barkley ?hated? 1996 Olympics
Following the 1992 success, another impressive roster was built up to once again clinch the same success in 1996.
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Five players from the previous team, Sir Charles, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Karl Malone, and John Stockton were also on the ’96 roster. However, Barkley was unsatisfied with one particular thing about his teammates.
During an episode of Bleacher Report?s podcast, Chuck expressed his dissatisfaction. Without mentioning any player?s name, he said, ?It was not a lot of fun hearing guys bitch and complain all the time about who should be starting.” He added, “In ’96, it was a nightmare. Guys complained about playing time and starting the whole time. I hated it.”
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Written by
Edited by
Aakash Nair