Former NBA star Charles Barkley has always been known for his humorous personality and witty jokes. However, not many people are aware of his potential as a player during his NBA career. Recently, a former teammate of Barkley’s revealed an interesting anecdote about Barkley’s attempt to join forces with the legendary Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards.
It turns out that Barkley had approached Jordan with a funny proposition, suggesting that they team up and dominate the court together. Although the idea was lighthearted and playful, Barkley’s desire to compete at the highest level, even if it meant joining forces with his toughest rival, came came as a surprise to his fans.
Kenny Smith reveals hilarious details of Charles Barkley’s comeback plan
Former NBA star and television analyst Charles Barkley‘s failed attempt to join Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards has been exposed by his former colleague, Kenny Smith. In a recent episode of Inside the NBA, Smith shared hilarious details of Barkley’s comeback plan.
According to Smith, when Jordan decided to make his comeback to the NBA in 2001, Barkley entertained the idea of joining him. However, it quickly became apparent that Barkley’s intentions were not as serious as they seemed.
“He was gonna make a comeback with Michael Jordan, and Tim Grover came down and they would work,” Smith revealed. “He used to eat right, they had vegetables, all this stuff for him. Soon as Tim Grover left, he ordered pizza. I was like, he’s not coming back and playing with no Wizards.”
Smith’s humorous account sheds light on Barkley’s lack of commitment to the comeback plan. While Jordan successfully reentered the NBA and played for the Wizards, Barkley’s return never materialized.
Even though Barkley’s comeback didn’t pan out, his career as an NBA player ended in a quite unsatisfactory way.
How did Barkley’s career end?
The night Charles Barkley’s Hall of Fame career ended was filled with both celebration and heartbreak. At the age of 36, Barkley had already announced that the 1999–2000 NBA season would be his last.
This Wednesday night in Philadelphia was meant to honor the city where his career began. The Sixers went all out, flying Barkley’s mother and grandmother from his hometown for the special occasion.
The game started with a video showcasing Barkley’s incredible career highlights. But just over 10 minutes into the game, Barkley’s fate was sealed. Tyrone Hill attempted a shot near the basket, and Barkley, always known for his relentless defense, leaped to contest it. But this time, his left knee buckled, and he collapsed to the floor in excruciating pain.
Barkley, the undersized rebounder with an outsized personality, knew immediately that his career was over. He described the moment as seeing his kneecap bulging through his leg and said, “Well, it’s been fun.” The diagnosis was a ruptured quadriceps tendon.
While Charles Barkley did return to play one final game after surgery, that night in Philadelphia marked the end of an era. The Sporting News covered the injury with a mix of appreciation and empathy, capturing Barkley’s unique character and the impact he had on the game.
In the end, Charles Barkley’s career may have been cut short, but his legacy as one of the greatest rebounders and characters in NBA history remains intact.
