Charles Barkley waited eight long years to make the NBA Finals.
When one of the most talented players in league history finally reached basketball’s biggest stage, he walked away humbled, sleepless and depressed.
That’s how tough Michael Jordan was in 1993.
And Barkley, who won the regular-season MVP, wasn’t able to forget it.
“I think this guy might be better than me,” Barkley recalled telling his daughter. “I never said that about another basketball player in my life, ever. But I remember being so depressed.”
The Chicago Bulls won the 1993 Finals 4-2 when John Paxson drilled a stunning last-second 3-pointer on the Phoenix Suns‘ home court.
Jordan used Barkley’s MVP award for personal motivation.
“I didn’t get the MVP that year,” Jordan said. “They gave it to Charles Barkley.
“With that said, ‘OK, fine. You can have that. I’m gonna get this.’ “
Entering the series, Barkley was excited to play MJ man to man.
The Round Mound of Rebound and former Philadelphia 76ers star believed it was his best chance to overcome Air Jordan with the world watching.
“This is what I wanted,” Barkley said. “I’m telling myself, ‘Well, I’m the best player. I just didn’t have no d*** help in Philly.’ “
When Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley met, there could only be one winnerGetty GettyBarkley put up big numbers but didn’t have the same force as Jordan[/caption] youtube@RiK ESportsYears later, Barkley was left to reflect on his biggest NBA loss[/caption]What followed was a legendary NBA Finals dominance by a 10-time scoring champion widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all-time.
Jordan averaged a surreal 41 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the 1993 Finals.
Barkley was also impressive, averaging 27.3 points, 13 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
In Game 2, he battled Jordan blow for blow, pouring in 42 points in 46 minutes.
But Chicago grabbed Game 1 on the road and returned to the United Center with a huge 2-0 lead.
As the series found its defining point, Jordan became the man and Barkley ended up as the No. 2.
The Bulls won their third consecutive world title and first of two three-peats with Air Jordan leading the way.
Barkley, who has gone on to have a stellar TV career as an NBA analyst, was left to process being on the other side of basketball history.
“I was just in shock when it was over,” Barkley said. “I was frustrated because I couldn’t wheel my team past Michael and the Bulls.
“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over it. … That was traumatic.
“I stayed up for like a day and a half. I just couldn’t sleep and I was so frustrated.”
Nowadays, you can find Jordan and Barkley chumming it up on the golf course, with the 1993 Finals long in the rearview mirror.
Jordan and Barkley have been friends, competitors, enemies and golfing buddiesGetty Read More Details
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