Even without a ring, you can be one of the greatest in history

Charles Barkley didn't need NBA accolades

It is very easy to remember the players who won many trophies or set at least one record in their career. But what about those who have made a number of significant achievements but have not won a single trophy or broken a single record?

They also find their place in history. And basketball, and the NBA in particular, is no exception. In the following lines, we will remember Charles Barkley - the charismatic forward who never won a ring, but will forever remain one of the greatest.

Charles Wade Barkley was born in Leeds, Alabama in 1963 and at 21 became the fifth pick in the draft of the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers. The rest, as the cliché goes, is history. Barkley immediately became a fan-pleaser. In addition to his scoring ability, he impresses with umbrellas, athletic dunks and brilliant plays. And all this with a height of just under two meters and a slight overweight.

Barkley also likes to eat and drink more than is reasonable. At least early in his career. Already in his first year in the NBA, however, his indicators were remarkable - an average of 14 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. In his third year in the Association, he already has star status, but he can't help the Phillies reach the playoffs. The lack of opportunity to put a ring, make him move to another team after the end of the 91/92 season.

Before becoming part of the Phoenix Suns, however, Barkley spent a crazy summer in Barcelona, where he and the US national team, which included Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, demonstrated the best basketball the world has ever seen. Charles managed to fight for the starting position with Karl Malone and became the top scorer of the tournament.

Career in Phoenix also started with a bang - 62 wins in the regular season. Barkley logically wins the MVP award with his 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game average. In the finals, however, Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls proved insurmountable. Despite their dominance over the next two campaigns, the Suns failed to make the playoffs.

Barkley spent his final 4 years in the Houston Rockets, but he failed to realize his dream there as well. But one thing is certain - Charles will go down in history as one of the four players with more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists, a winner of 2 Olympic gold medals and a participant in 11 All-Star games, but not a champion of NBA.

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