Sir Charles Barkley in the post

[Phoenix]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2uD8l2Ra2E&t=565s

Peak Barkley was just a damn beast down low. Overpowering guys his size and out-quicking bigger ones. I always see people talk about his power and explosiveness but not enough detail to how well he used the angles and his body to protect the ball from being swatted by taller trees in those packed paints. He had great touch around the rim and a variety of up and under counter moves and finishing ability with either hand.

[Whoah10115]

Prime Barkley could be a top 10 player. Unique style too, not funky and fundamental like McHale, smooth like Hakeem, prototypical like Duncan. Just Sir Charles.

[Phoenix]

He had alot of good post moves but people tend to namesdrop guys like Mchale and Hakeem first. And for good reason, but Charles wasn't just muscling guys down there. He had really high IQ around the rim for finding angles and getting his shots off.

[Round Mound]

Best MIX OF BOTH "POWER AND SKILL" EVER in the Post Region!

[Round Mound]

Prime Barkley could be a top 10 player. Unique style too, not funky and fundamental like McHale, smooth like Hakeem, prototypical like Duncan. Just Sir Charles.


Agree! Advance Stats suggest Barkley was atleast in between a top 15-10 player in his prime. In his peak probably top 10. What i loved about Chuck is that he would invite you to contest his shots aswell as his rebounds. It was amazing to watch indeed.

[Horatio33]

Best MIX OF BOTH "POWER AND SKILL" EVER in the Post Region!

Ever heard of Hakeem Olajuwon?

[Phoenix]

Ever heard of Hakeem Olajuwon?

Hakeem didnt play with brute power like that. If Barkley didnt have that 'force' theres no way he would have been as dominant at 6"4. Hakeem was more apt to go around you with an assortment of fakes, shakes, shimmies and spins, not through you.

[Round Mound]

Exactly what i mean. Best Mix of BOTH "POWER" and "SKILL".

Barkley's soft touch around the basket was unreal. In the level of Jabbar, McHale, Hakeem etc...

[Phoenix]

That was the beauty of Barkleys game. The way he angled guys off, used the rim to shield the ball from a defender and come on the other side of the rim, going into the body of the defender and going up with the left hand ( look at the 2nd play against Grant at the 7 second part of the vid). Was masterful at using his body which usually had guys bouncing off him unless you were a Malone/Oakley type. And in those situations he'd just outquick the guy. He had something to attack basically any type of defender he would see. Still for my money the most complete offensive power forward ever. Dirk shot it better and AD has more consistent 3point range now, Mailman had his fadeaway as did KG, Duncan had a nice assortment of post moves, Mchale probably had the widest body of post moves, but putting it all together like Charles did? The varied post game? The ability to face up? Take guys off the dribble? Shoot it decently enough from outside? Orchestrate the break? At that size and combo of strength, agility and athleticism? He's still unique, 30 years later.

[Roundball_Rock]

Good thread. Barkley came closest to challenging Jordan as the best player of anyone after MJ took the title from Magic. To be clear, he wasn't equal to MJ but his challenge to Jordan in 90' and 93' was stronger than that of anyone else's (Hakeem 94', 95' isn't relevant here since we are talking MJ). That is how high his peak years were.

[Phoenix]

Good thread. Barkley came closest to challenging Jordan as the best player of anyone after MJ took the title from Magic. To be clear, he wasn't equal to MJ but his challenge to Jordan in 90' and 93' was stronger than that of anyone else's (Hakeem 94', 95' isn't relevant here since we are talking MJ). That is how high his peak years were.

I saw alot of Bulls-Philly games where Barkley looked like the dominant player on the floor at times. MJ was doing his thing, but peak Charles was that dominant.

[Gudo]

The skill that this guy has for the position he plays is unbelievable

[Manny98]

Embiid needs to take some notes from this video

[Round Mound]

Good thread. Barkley came closest to challenging Jordan as the best player of anyone after MJ took the title from Magic. To be clear, he wasn't equal to MJ but his challenge to Jordan in 90' and 93' was stronger than that of anyone else's (Hakeem 94', 95' isn't relevant here since we are talking MJ). That is how high his peak years were.

:applause: Sir Charles in his prime was one of the most scary beasts ever!

[Turbo Slayer]

Many people today remember Barkley as a funny analyst working for Turner Network Television (TNT) but back in the early 90s he was a polished brute in the post.