ATG rankings impact if Barkley didn't hurt his back in 1994

[AussieSteve]

To that point in his career Barkley was 30 years old and had

- 1 MVP
- 1 MVP runner up (though he was actually the rightful winner here also)
- 1 finals appearance
- lost 3 times in the playoffs to Jordan's Bulls in the previous 4 seasons
- 8 straight All-NBA (5x 1st, 3x 2nd)
- career averages of 24 / 12 / 4 over 9 seasons.

At the same point, Hakeem was also 30 and had
- 0 MVP
- 1 MVP runner up
- 1 DPOY
- 1 finals appearance
- 7 All-NBA (4× 1st, 2x 2nd, 1x 3rd)
- 6 All-D (4× 1st, 2x 2nd)
- career averages of 23 / 13 / 2 over 9 seasons


After 29 games in the '94 season the Suns were 23-6, with Barkley averaging 25 / 12 / 5. Barkley then hurt his back and missed 17 games. The Suns went 33-20 for the rest of the season, including 8-9 with Barkley out.

Barkley was on track to average 25 / 12 / 5 on the team with the league's best record once again... Barkley likely wins another MVP and Hakeem doesn't win his.

The Suns would definietly have been favourite for the chip, but for Barkley being completely hobbled and on mid-game pain killing injections into his spine during the Rockets series... Barkley likely wins FMVP and Hakeem doesn't win his 1st FMVP.

It's fair to say that the following season might have been different as well, but even if not, how would Barkley and Hakeem be ranked differently if they had 2 and 0 MVPs respectively and 1 ring and FMVP each.

[mehyaM24]

good post, op. had kj been healthy in the 93 finals, though, barkley would've also won that year. which would give him 2 fmvps.

one of my favorite games in 94 was g2 @ houston. chuck hit ridiculous jumpshots all game long and against TOUGH defense (finished with 34/15/6 on good efficiency). it was probably his second best game that run, behind his 56 piece.

[AussieSteve]

good post, op. had kj been healthy in the 93 finals, though, barkley would've also won that year. which would give him 2 fmvps.

one of my favorite games in 94 was g2 @ houston. chuck hit ridiculous jumpshots all game long and against TOUGH defense (finished with 34/15/6 on good efficiency). it was probably his second best game that run, behind his 56 piece.

Agreed. It's was downhill for him and the Suns a game or two after that though.

Re 93, Barkley also injured his shooting elbow and pretty much didn't score outside the paint for the entire finals. Even with KJ hindered, I still think the Suns win if Chuck was able to confidently take midrange shots.

If he stayed healthy in the 94 post season, the Suns clearly win it all and Hakeem is out in the 2nd round.

With 2 MVPs and an 2 FMVPs for Chuck and 0 MVPs and an FMVP for Hakeem, do their all time standings change much?

[mehyaM24]

Agreed. It's was downhill for him and the Suns a game or two after that though.

Re 93, Barkley also injured his shooting elbow and pretty much didn't score outside the paint for the entire finals. Even with KJ hindered, I still think the Suns win if Chuck was able to confidently take midrange shots.

If he stayed healthy in the 94 post season, the Suns clearly win it all and Hakeem is out in the 2nd round.

With 2 MVPs and an 2 FMVPs for Chuck and 0 MVPs and an FMVP for Hakeem, do their all time standings change much?

ya i forgot about barkley's injury. he played well so it didn't resonate like kj's play, or lack thereof. with 2 mvps/fmvps of course barkey's footing is different. chuck already had insane offensive impact, so if you combined that with hardware, especially rings, he would be where hakeem is currently - top 10ish. hakeem though would be viewed like like he was pre rudy tomjanovich. someone who had great numbers but couldn't lead. i wouldn't cosign that narrative, but as you know winning is everything in the mainstream.