Back in 1996, in conjunction with the year-long celebration of "The NBA at 50," NBA Entertainment conducted a number of interviews with some of the most memorable and influential personalities of the NBA's first half-century.
Today, we share an interview with Charles Barkley. Barkley was interviewed in Chicago during July 1-2, 1996.
Charles Barkley accepts the 1992-93 NBA MVP award. |
Q: When you came into the NBA in the '80s, you came around the same time as Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and other great stars. Is it amazing to come in at the same time with so many great stars?
A: Well, I think I was very fortunate. I think a lot of people consider that draft with Michael, Hakeem, John Stockton, Sam Perkins and myself one of the best NBA Drafts ever. We're very fortunate, but it all goes back to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. I think when they started to bloom, they made the NBA into what it is today. They were the two pioneers, taking the NBA worldwide and making it popular, with Michael taking it from there.
Q: How crazy was the '92 Olympics?
A: Nothing can really compare to 1992. I mean, it was flat-out awesome. I was very fortunate and blessed to be on the team. When I say "awesome, fantastic," it really doesn't do it justice. I think you just had to be there to experience it. I'm really looking forward to this year, 1996, as well. I think I'm going to go more as a fan. I'd like to see more events... swimming, track & field.... but I'm just going to have a good time.
Q: Was it amazing to see how much attention the USA team got in Barcelona?
A: I think it always comes as a shock to you when you're really popular in other countries, and with those fans. The fans were tremendous. There were people lining up along the streets and I felt like I was traveling with the Beatles! (laughs) I think the whole Olympic experience was great, but to be on the first Dream Team really meant a lot to me.
Q: You know there have been things said about you fairly and unfairly. To you, what is the essence of Charles Barkley?
A: I think I'm a good person. I work hard, I'm physical, I'm aggressive. I have made mistakes in my life, just like everybody else, but its different when you're in the limelight. You get some guys who are biased or somebody who doesn't like you, they compound the problem. But I think I'm a good person. I go to work, do my job very well and God has truly blessed me.
Q: One thing people say about you is that you don't hold back.
 “Nothing can really compare to 1992. I mean, it was flat-out awesome. I was very fortunate ... when I say "awesome, fantastic," it really doesn't do it justice.” Barkley on the 1992 Dream Team
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A: Well, unfortunately, if you're going be honest, you're going to be criticized. People don't want honesty. People want you to go along with everything and never try to speak your mind, but I'm not like that. I feel that if I'm good enough to make people all this money, I should be allowed to speak my own mind.
Q: What's your mentality on the court?
A: I like the pressure. I feel I have great confidence in myself. I feel like I'm going to score or get fouled most of the time, but if I miss it, I have so much company. I'm not afraid to take that big shot the next night. You're not always going to be successful, but if you're scared to fail, you don't deserve to be successful.
Q: Who are your peers from your generation that you have respect for?
A: I have great deal of respect for every player that I've played against. Guys who go out and just work hard. Obviously Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing... there are so many great players. I love all the NBA players, and respect them because we're in a close-knit fraternity. The only difference is with a lot of young guys. They make a lot of money -- and more power to them -- but I want to make sure they earn it, and respect where the game has come from.
Q: Growing up, was there a playground you played on?
A: There was a playground directly by my house and I played there a lot. There is nothing like the innocence of the game. I think the game should always be innocent.
Q: What was that playground like?
A: Just two broken-down backboards, pretty much. (laughs) Put a hoop up there, it's just like typical inner-city playgrounds: just two hoops, and pavement. That's it. (laughs)
Q: Do you have fond memories of the playground?
A: I have fond memories, obviously, because that's where it started. I mean everybody looks at the finished product, but unless you have a place to start, you can't finish. I have great memories of my young days playing basketball.
Q: It seemed like Jordan had problems with the media at one point and he had to take a break. Maybe because of what happened to his father. Can you empathize with that?
A: No, I can't, because my father is alive, so it's tough to put myself in that situation. Michael is such a great person and a great player. The media will always be hard on you if you're successful in any profession. I think my advice to people is "don't be successful, then you don't have to deal with the press." Any time you're successful, people are going to be jealous, envious, and try to bring you down. It was good for him to get away. I think people realize that they needed him more than they thought they did.
Q: His comeback was such a storybook thing. They had the best record ever.
A: It was Michael, and also the addition of Dennis Rodman that made that team great. Michael is a great player, Scottie Pippen is a great player... but the big difference on that team this year and last year was Dennis Rodman.
Q: Did you feel good for Michael?
A: I felt good for Michael, but no more than I felt good for Scottie and Steve Kerr. They had a great team, and hopefully they'll all work out in the long run. Maybe they can keep that team together cause they're a very special team.
Q: What keeps you going?
A: Just the game itself. You have to deal with a lot of players who have different ideals and values. Guys trying to get contracts, some guys want to be famous, but the only thing that matters to me is the game. I can honestly say to myself I've never let money become a factor, I've never let my ego and pride get in the way. I just go out and do my job and hopefully I have guys around me who all share that.
Q: Talk about your relationship with your teammates.
A: People talk about if you're going to miss the money, if you're gonna miss the limelight... but I think the only thing you're going to miss is hanging out with the fellas. My friends are unbelievable. I love spending time with Joe Kleine, Dan Majerle. I enjoy spending time with Danny Ainge, Rick Mahorn, Derek Smith, Mike Gminski. I've had some great friendships through basketball.
Q: Coming out of school, I don't think people knew how great you were going to become.
A: I don't think anybody knew I was going to accomplish what I've accomplished in my life, myself included! (laughs) When I went to the Olympic trials (1984), I think it was more of a confidence thing. When I went to the Olympic trials, I didn't know how good I was. Then I got a chance to play against some of the best players in the country, the best players in the world, and I realized I could play with them. After that point, I've always had confidence. I think sometimes when you come from a small town, you have a small-town mentality. But once I got out there with great players, I knew I was just as good as they were. And I just took off from there.
Q: What was it like to realize that you were going to be one of the best players?
A: I never expected my career to skyrocket like it did. I was in a situation where I thought I could compete with other guys, but the rest went beyond my wildest, wildest expectations. It's just been fine, but I think once you get that confidence and just keep pushing yourself, the rest just kind of falls into place.
Q: You seem to have a special relationship with fans, they seem to really relate to you.
A: The fans... not all of them, but a lot. (laughs) I'd say that the majority of fans are terrific. They're very supportive and they're with you all the time. You're going to have some people who are just bad people. Some fans are just bad people, but I think the majority of fans are terrific. They support their team through thick and thin. Phoenix fans have just been wonderful and I enjoyed my time there more than any place, a lot more than I did in Philadelphia.
Q: You have a lot of nicknames, The Round Mound of Rebound, Sir Charles...
A: Yeah, that's funny. I had so many names because I was heavy in college... that really didn't make me mad. It was not a big deal. As far as the name Sir Charles, the one most people stick with, I don't even know where that came from, but I think any time you get a nickname, its very special to you.
Q: What's left for you?
A: What's left for me? Number one, I'm obviously close to the end of my career, so I just want to have a chance of winning a championship, because that's my only goal left to accomplish. If it happens great, if it doesn't, its great too, because I'll never let a basketball event make me think that I'm not a better person. If I win I won't think I'm the greatest thing in the world, but I think you have to want to feel like that you have a chance, and that's most important. The world doesn't owe you anything but an opportunity.
Q: You're known around the world now. Does it amaze you how the NBA has grown globally?
“I don't think anybody knew I was going to accomplish what I've accomplished in my life, myself included! (laughs)” Barkley on his achievements
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A: I've been to Italy, Germany, Spain, France, and it is amazing how popular I am. I didn't even realize that people in Germany were watching NBA basketball. The NBA has done a good job, a great job in marketing themselves and marketing the players. It is a wonderful feeling to go to different countries and be recognized.
Q: Why are NBA stars different than stars in other sports?
A: I think the number one thing is the commercial endorsements. Basketball can make you famous, but I think commercials make you even more famous! (laughs) If you look at history, guys who have been really famous are the guys who do a lot of commercials. Basketball players probably do more commercials than any other athletes and that's the thing that makes them really known.
Q: Do you take pride in that you picked up from where Larry and Magic left off?
A: I take great pride in the fact I was able to carry it on. See, I don't think it's fair for us to take the credit because the guys who really deserve the credit are the guys who started the league back in the day. They started it, we just took it and built upon it. If it wasn't for them there would be no us. One of the reasons I take so much pride in my game is because we owe them. We get all the money and the fame and everything now, but if it wasn't for those guys back in the '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s, we would not be where we are today. They made it possible. I just take pride in carrying it along, but I can't take credit for it because they deserve it.
Q: What's the best part about the game?
A: Just playing is the best part. Its a pure thing, the game itself is pure. You get all these things surrounding basketball, which muddles the picture a bit. The only thing that really matters is what happens in the square circle, because the game is sacred. It makes you rich and it makes you famous, so you should appreciate it.
Q: After you retire, will you still play?
A: No, the day I walk off the court, I'll never play again. I might shoot around now and then with my daughter, but it will be time to move on to a different part of my life. I have so many great memories. I thank God I have this huge brain that can keep all these memories stored.
Q: If the WNBA comes up strong and your daughter grows up and wants to play ball, how would you feel about that?
A: Well I think it would be great as long as she has talent and plays hard. I'll be very proud of her.
Q: Does she ever pick up a ball?
A: No, she's learning. She's dunking a little bit on the little goal in the backyard and I don't pressure her to play professional ball. I want her to make that decision on her own. It's her life, not mine.
Q: Talk about playing in the '96 Olympics.
A: I think the overriding factor why I decided to play now is because the games are being held in the States. It was awesome the first time, but it was in a foreign country. I think it's going to be great to be in a situation where I will be close to my hometown. I'm so proud to be an American. It's the best place in the world. Everybody takes great pride in the Olympics, and to have it in the States, I think is very special.
Q: Comment on Hakeem Olajuwon?
A: He's an awesome, awesome person. Everybody knows he's a great player but he's an awesome person. He deserves everything that has happened to him in his life. I can say I have great respect for him as a man. They had the best team, they had great resolve, they had some very great players around him and they deserved to win two championships.
Q: You talk about the young guys, one of them that has a lot of respect for the game is Grant Hill.
A: Grant Hill has got a lot of potential. He has got a chance to be a great player. He's a young kid right now and if he keeps getting better, he's going to be great.
Q: Talking about Magic and Bird, you played against them and played with them on the Dream Team. What did you take from them?
A: Watching how unselfish they were and how hard they played. Watching them as little kids, playing against them, those guys competed so hard and those are two guys that took from the past and made the game what it is today. That's what started it. We kept it going, but those guys really started it. The media blitz made basketball worldwide. Everybody that's ever heard of basketball knows Magic and Bird. I'm just honored to say I played against those guys.
Q: Guys like Stockton and Malone who have been through a lot like you have, do you feel some sort of kinship there?
A: I feel for them because they haven't been able to win a championship.They deserve it. That's probably the only kinship I feel. There are a lot of players out there, like Patrick Ewing, that I feel deserve it. Guys who have been great players their entire career and just haven't had good-enough teams. I'll always feel for those type of guys.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: Just a guy who went out and gave 110 percent. I know that sounds corny. I want to be able to say "Hey, you were very good at something and you did it really hard," and not take it for granted. That means a lot.
Q: People have said you're revolutionary.
A: I'm just unique in different skills. Magic was unique, he was a 6-9 point guard. Hakeem is unique, he is something, a center built like a power forward. I am just a 6-4 guy who is able to dribble the ball. I have quick leaping ability around the basket, have very quick feet, but I think the biggest asset in my game is my ability to dribble. And I've used that as a weapon for a long time. Hopefully now more 6-4, 6-5 guys who have unique skills can play in the NBA and play inside. I look at Larry Johnson, similar to that, Clarence Weatherspoon. I just had a unique package and God blessed me, and it worked out perfectly.
