“It Was So Easy”: 2 Years After Retirement, Charles Barkley Made Ridiculous Flex About His Olympics Domination

Published 11/13/2023, 6:29 AM EST

While most athletes dream of making it to the big leagues, the stars of the NBA have different aspirations. Representing their country at the highest stage and securing a Gold Medal is on the checklist of every top talent. Charles Barkley, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, described the key difference between playing for a club vs playing for country. Notably, the 1993 NBA MVP was a member of the fabled ‘Dream Team’.

In 2002, two years after he retired from the NBA, Barkley authored a book titled “I May Be Wrong, but I Doubt It”. He bragged about his Olympic gold medals in his book, claiming that they were too easy for him to accomplish.

Why were the Olympics too easy for Charles Barkley?

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The 1992 ‘Dream Team’ featured talents like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Yet, in this crop of Hall of Fame talent, Chuck emerged as the team’s leading scorer during the Barcelona Summer Olympics, averaging 18 points per game.

4 years later, The Round Mound of Rebound averaged 12.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while setting an Olympic field goal percentage record of 81.6%. However, Chuck attributes it to more than just his pure dominance.

Charles Barkley asserted in his book that it is a long day at work when playing against great players, but similarly, it’s easier to play alongside great players. He had remarkable teammates who did an incredible job, and all he had to do was play his part, which he executed brilliantly.

“When that whole thing was over, people asked me, ‘How come you played so well in the Olympic Trials?’ Hell, even though it’s always more difficult playing against great players, when you’re playing with other great players it ought to be easier…I led the team both times in scoring and in 1996 in rebounding I didn’t have to do everything; I just had to do my thing. And it was so easy.”

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There is plenty to support this notion. Though Barkley was a top talent at the time, Team USA was winning by average margins of 43 points in 1992 and 31 points in 1996. However, that’s part of the reason why Chuck isn’t a fan of replicating the overpowered squad.

Following USA’s disappointing loss during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, several legends became proponents of a new ‘Redeem Team’ being formed. While Shaquille O’Neal is all aboard the idea, the Chuckster has his reservations.

Barkley thinks USA losing is good for basketball

After Team USA failed to secure a berth during the WC in Asia, stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry started sharing their intentions to return to the Olympic roster next year.

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While such a culmination of talent would likely see a Gold Medal for the Americans, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley thinks it might do more harm than good. He admitted that he’s in the “minority” of people who don’t want to see the greats suiting up next year.

Explaining his reasoning, Chuck said, “But, can you imagine…One of these little crappy countries wins, how popular basketball would be over there?”

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A rather interesting approach from the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. He clearly values international parity over dominance for his national team.

Interestingly, Barkley gave away both his medals to his family. One to his mother, one to his grandmother. What do you think of Chuck’s take on the international game?

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Written by:

My family and I were passionate about soccer, particularly in Argentina. There's a major enthusiasm for the sport where I reside. However, as I grew older, I developed a strong passion for basketball, both as a player and spectator.

Edited by:

Aakash Nair

“It Was So Easy”: 2 Years After Retirement, Charles Barkley Made Ridiculous Flex About His Olympics Domination

Why were the Olympics too easy for Charles Barkley?

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Barkley thinks USA losing is good for basketball