7 Years Before Finishing With $40,608,000, Charles Barkley Recited Larry Bird’s ‘Hero’ Quote When Talking About Retirement

Despite never having won the NBA, Charles Barkley had an illustrious career and is regarded as one of the best rebounders the league ever saw. Barkley was an 11-time All-Star who led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993, the same year that he won his MVP award. Finishing his career with more than $40,608,000 in total earnings, Barkley never came as close to winning the title as 1993, when Michael Jordan’s Bulls defeated them in 6 games. Ultimately retiring in 2000, Barkley nevertheless talked about the topic in his memoir, “Sir Charles: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles Barkley,” 7 years before retiring. The Suns legend referenced a quote from Boston Celtics great Larry Bird, who had retired in 1992. Bird had said that it was time for someone else to be the hero for the Celtics, a quote that seemed to impress Barkley.

Bird’s career had ended abruptly in 1992 after his continuous struggles with a back injury. He had picked up the injury in the 1990-91 season but played through pain for an entire season, before calling it quits in August 1992.

Charles Barkley referenced Larry Bird’s famous quote while talking about retirement

Barkley seemed to agree with Larry Bird’s take on retirement, suggesting that he would call it quits when he wouldn’t be able to continue being his team’s hero. Barkley’s memoir came out in 1994 when he was right in the prime of his career.

He had just won the MVP the previous season and led his team to the NBA Finals against the great Chicago Bulls. Speaking about retirement, Barkley referenced a famous Larry Bird quote:

“Like Larry Bird said, it’s time for someone else to be the hero.”

Of course, just like Larry Bird, injuries played a part in forcing Barkley into retirement as well. Barkley suffered a left quadriceps tendon in the 1999-2000 season, at the age of 36. He announced his retirement after the 1999-2000 season but convinced the Rockets to let him play a single game the following season, in order to retire the “right way.”

Barkley claimed there was only one good thing to come out of Michael Jordan’s retirement

While Jordan and Barkley eventually ended up feuding, they were close friends during their NBA career. The two would regularly play golf together, and would regularly bet large amounts of money.

In his memoir, Barkley claimed that the only good thing to come out of MJ’s retirement was the fact that he would improve at golf. This would mean Jordan would be forced to give Barkley a handicap, ironically playing into his way.

Just like MJ and Larry Bird, Barkley had an unparalleled love for the game which was apparent throughout his career. While he never won the NBA, he still goes down as one of the most dominant players to ever play in the league.