“The only thing I was missing was a championship” – Charles Barkley regrets missing a championship with Phoenix Suns
Charles Barkley had an outstanding NBA career. He regrets not winning a championship with the Phoenix Suns.
Chuck played with three different teams over a span of 16 seasons. He is one of the best power forwards in league history. However, he was unable to capture the elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Barkley's deepest run in the playoffs came during his first season with the Phoenix Suns. He led the team to the NBA Finals in 1993, but could not overcome Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The Suns lost the series in six games. Barkley never reached the NBA Finals again.
On the "Taylor Rooks and X" podcast, Taylor Rooks asked Chuck if he thinks fans have forgotten how dominant he was on the court.
He replied:
(From 46:00)
"I'm really happy with my career. The only thing I was missing was a championship. Wish I could have got that for the State of Arizona. You know Philadelphia had gotten one, then Houston got one.
"Not getting the Suns one was probably my biggest regret more than anything. I don't think about my past as whether people recognize it or not. Because people forget everybody."
Regardless, Chuck has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game. The 11-time All-Star also won the MVP award in 1993.
Barkley was a special talent. He led Team USA in scoring during the 1992 Olympics. It was a remarkable feat for a team that featured the likes of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird.
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Charles Barkley has achieved success in the broadcast industry
Chuck stayed attached to the basketball world after his retirement from the NBA. He is currently a panelist on the award-winning "Inside the NBA" program on TNT. The big man is one of the most revered figures in sports broadcasting.
Barkley has covered the NBA alongside Ernie Johnson for 22 years. His ability to speak candidly on any topic is unmatched.
However, Barkley has caused several controversies over the years due to comments he's made on television. He's had back-and-forths with Kevin Durant. He recently called KD a "bus rider" for not being able to win a championship as the leader of a team.
Chuck has also been the butt of the joke in the TNT studio. The rest of the panel pulls pranks on him at every opportunity.
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