Charles Barkley entered the NBA in 1984 as the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. Belonging to Leeds, Alabama, Charles was unaware of Philly’s love for sports and how rabid the fanbase could get if their expectations weren’t met. He learned it the hard way, during the eight years he spent in the city. Recently, he appeared as a guest on the podcast ‘New Heights‘, and narrated a story that led to him yelling profanities at Shawn Bradley.
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The Philadelphia fans’ passion for sports is unparalleled in the United States, and very few cities can match that intensity. Boston is another such city that holds its players at a very high level and puts a lot of pressure to perform. Their fans attend the game in big numbers and expect nothing but excellence from their players. If you are not helping the team win, they will ensure that you are not in the city for long.
Charles Barkley advises Shawn Bradley against Philly fans
Charles Barkley, during his stint with the Sixers, has heard it all from the fanbase. He has felt their love and hatred in equal measure. So, when Chuck heard Shawn Bradley’s wife engaging with the Sixers fans, he decided to give him some advice. When talking about the Philadelphia fans on the podcast, here is what he said:
“I remember talking to Shawn Bradley one time, I said – ‘Yo, man! Please tell your wife to shut the hell up.’ I am not even playing for Philly. Do not start yelling at fans who are yelling at you.”
At 7 feet 6 inches tall, Shawn was drafted by the Philadelphia team and was not performing at their expectations. This led the raucous fanbase to go at him, and Shawn’s wife decided to engage in a war of words. Chuck advised him against it and said the fans would push them out of the building within two months.
Shawn Bradley’s Career and his accident
Shawn Bradley’s NBA career started in 1993 with the Philadelphia 76ers before bouncing around different teams and then settling with the Dallas Mavericks. In his twelve years in the league, he averaged a mediocre 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He remains one of the tallest players to play in the league, he never reached his potential as he would have hoped.
Post-retirement, Shawn found himself in a tragic bicycle accident in 2021. A spinal cord injury to his neck has left Shawn paralyzed and in a wheelchair ever since. He continues to rehabilitate in Dallas where he currently lives with his family.
