In the 80s and 90s NBA was filled with superstars and talented players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Isiah Thomas, and many others. Charles Barkley, was also one of those big names and was up there with the likes of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. In 1990, he was in a tight race with Magic for the MVP award. It was one of the most controversial races in NBA history and one that even Barkley doubted he would win, as revealed in his 1995 book Sir Charles: Wit and Wisdom of Charles Barkley.
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The Round Mound of Rebound would inevitably lose the race, but 3 years later, he would find success. Winning the 1993 MVP with the Phoenix Suns, he even led the team to the NBA Finals. There, he faced off against His Airness, who believed he deserved to win the award. Instead, he channeled the loss and used it to beat Barkley and the Suns and secure his third championship.
Charles Barkley felt he should have been crowned the 1990 MVP ahead of Magic Johnson
In the 1989-1990 season, Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson were the two top players in the NBA. They were neck and neck for the MVP award, and many wondered who would come out on top. Of course, the media narrative pointed solely toward Magic, after all, at that point in time he was the “golden boy” of the league alongside Michael Jordan.
However, Chuck was also on another level that season. Averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists per game, he was exceptional for the Philadelphia 76ers. At the same time, Magic also brought his “A” game, with averages of 22 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists per game. Unfortunately, their teams struggled in the Playoffs, as they both crashed out in the Conference Semi-Finals.
That being said when approached about the MVP voting, Chuck scoffed at suggestions that it was a tight race. But, sadly for him, while he did get more 1st place votes than everybody else by a decent margin, the overall votes led to the five-time NBA Champion securing the most points. About the loss, Chuck in his book wrote:
“It just depends on what you guys have been drinking.”
It certainly was a heated battle, and to this day, Chuck still contends that he deserved the award. But, at the end of the day, he did win one just a few years later in 1993. Although, he would have probably taken a championship over an MVP award.
Magic Johnson was not happy with how friendly Chuck and MJ were with each other ahead of the 1993 NBA Finals
The 1993 NBA Finals saw the Phoenix Suns take on the Chicago Bulls. A match-up that saw Michael Jordan take on his good friend Charles Barkley. And, that was an issue for another legend in Magic Johnson. During the Finals, Johnson commented on how he disliked the friendliness between Chuck and MJ.
He believed that the two should have concentrated on hooping and put aside any friendships. However, Barkley responded saying he thought he would try something different in their rivalry. Sadly, his plan backfired, as he ended up losing to Jordan in seven games, thus failing to secure a ring for himself.
