Charles Barkley didn’t take too long before he dominated at the NBA level. By his third year, Barkley was already an All-Star and took on the leadership role for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 6-foot-6 Forward had several sensational campaigns, but the Sixers didn’t reach the NBA Finals even once. After the Philly side missed the playoffs with a mere 35-win season in 1992, the Round Mound of Rebound was traded away. During this time, a year before Michael Jordan’s first retirement, all Chuck could think about was golf. He even used golf as a silver lining upon learning about his trade to the Phoenix Suns.
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Jordan shared a similar affection for golf as Barkley. In fact, when the Chicago Bulls Shooting Guard announced his retirement, Chuck explained how the former would improve tremendously as a golfer.
Charles Barkley disclosed that golf was the silver lining for his trade to Phoenix
Charles Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns in the 1992 summer in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang. Upon parting ways with the 76ers, a team that he had represented for eight seasons, Barkley had a positive outlook. As written in his book – Sir Charles: Wit and Wisdom of Charles Barkley – golf was the silver lining during the trade. Talking about Phoenix as a place, the Chuckster further mentioned how he would be able to play golf every day.
“Phoenix is not a bad place. I could play golf every day.”
The next four years with the Arizona side were glorious for Barkley. In only his first campaign as a Sun, the Power Forward won the Most Valuable Player honors and made a trip to the NBA Finals. Apart from being selected to the All-Star Game in all four years, Barkley even made it to the All-NBA Teams.
Barkley recorded 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists during his time in Arizona. Sir Charles was eventually acquired by the Houston Rockets, where he would play for four seasons before retiring.
Even after the 1993 Finals loss, Chuck spoke about golfing all summer long
A year after talking about playing golf in Phoenix every day, Barkley had a similar comment after losing the 1993 Finals. Pretty much unfazed by the loss against Michael Jordan’s Bulls, prepared to play golf only five days after the series.
“We live in the desert, it’s 90 degrees outside and we can play golf every day. I don’t fear losing.”
Seems like the golf course was the place where Barkley was at peace.
