Throughout the years, NBA legend Charles Barkley has captivated fans on the court and even after retiring from the league. Just recently, though, the former power forward shared the best thing that happened to his career as a professional basketball player.
Barkley enjoyed a highly successful 16-year NBA career, establishing himself as one of the greatest power forwards in league history. Drafted fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984, he was an immediate impact player, making the All-Rookie First Team in 1985. He blossomed into a superstar in the late 1980s, leading the league in rebounds in 1987 and making five consecutive All-NBA First Teams from 1988-1992.
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After eight seasons in Philadelphia, Barkley spent four years with the Phoenix Suns, leading them to the Finals in 1993 where he was named MVP. He finished his career with four seasons on the Houston Rockets, retiring in 2000 as an 11-time All-Star. The former power forward was a dominant rebounder and scorer, averaging a double-double for his career. He was also named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats.
Since retiring, Barkley has enjoyed a successful TV broadcasting career as a basketball analyst, known for his candid and controversial opinions. His legacy extends beyond basketball, as he has used his platform to speak out on social and political issues.
NBA Legend Charles Barkley Shares The Best Thing That Happened In His Career
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While there have been plenty of milestones in Barkley’s career, the sports analyst revealed the best of them. In an episode of Podcast P with Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George on YouTube, the sports analyst shared more.
“Charles: “The best thing happened to me, PG, was Moses Malone. I was not getting a play. I was not getting to play. I was fat and out of shape. I asked Moses one day…Moses, can I come see you after practice? He says, sure, young fella. I said, Moses, why am I not getting to play?
He says, son, you fat and you lazy. He said, son, you got a lot of talent, but you can’t work hard because you’re so fat. This whole thing changed my whole career – one of the greatest players ever met me before practice after practice, and he got me to lose 50 pounds and the rest is history.
If it wasn’t for Moses Malone, man, I have zero idea. I’d be working at McDonald’s but that guy who was already one of the all time greats, he took me on his wing, he worked with me every day before practice, after practice, he got me from 300 to 250 [lbs] and like I say, the rest is history. That’s the best thing that ever happened to me in my NBA career– Moses Malone.”
During his time in the league, Malone was a dominant center, winning three MVP awards and leading the Sixers to the 1983 championship. He was a 12-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Malone’s initiative to help a young Barkley lose weight laid the path to a fruitful career down the line. Fortunately, the NBA legend took it upon himself to do the hard work, which has led to everything he has accomplished in the sport.
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