Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 16:39:43 -0500 
From: "Michael D. Goettsche" <mg5c+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Barkley - the man

Charles Barkley - the man, the myth, the cult figure.  What a beast!

I loved that string on Barkley regarding the incident in the Big Apple. 
I think what you saw, for the most part, was an overwhelming show of
support for Sir Charles.  He is one of the most popular players in the
NBA because of his talent and his jaw - this is reflected in the
All-Star voting.  Last year, I believe he was the highest vote getter in
the LEAGUE (Move over, Michael!) simply because he brings a certain
dynamicism to the game that no one else brings.  NO ONE!  You never know
what he will do.  He has the talent to do as much as Michael Jordan (Low
post, perimeter game, slicing through the air, Magical passing,
REBOUNDING (AHEM!), and instilling fire in his teammates), but then
there is the x-factor for entertainment value above and beyond just
playing.  He is without a doubt the most intense player in the NBA -- he
will stop at nothing to win!  The only player I can see matching up
intensity wise is Dennis Rodman.  

Sure, some of his antics lead to a highly negative perception of him in
the media.  I read a lot of articles after the trade that said Phoenix
gave up to much for Charles and that they were taking a risk with a
malcontent superstar.  They predicted Philly would probably make the
playoffs this year as an 8 seed and win more games than they could have
with Charles.  Granted, Philly has won some games lately, but you would
be hard pressed to find many people now that consider that Philly got
the best of the trade.  I have constantly read articles talking about
Charles' antics (the Angola game, the spitting incident, etc.) that make
it sound like the public really doesn't like him, but I think a couple
of SI articles, and the overwhelming amount of fan support really crush
this string of thinking.  During the Olympics, Charles was easily the
most popular Dream Teamer.  While most of his teammates were relaxing in
their $1000/night hotel, Charles was out on the streets with the common
people, drinking beer, having the time of his life.  Or he was
supporting the rest of the United States athletics programs,
particularly the woman's basketball team.  Whereas his teammates were
removed and isolated from the Olympic experience, Charles was a part of
the experience, and the camaraderie and good will that he showed towards
the Spaniards really endeared him to the hearts of the people of Madrid.
 And then his playing -- oh, LORD!  He stood out above all the other
Dream Teamers, above Magic, Bird, and Mike.  No wonder he was one of the
most popular athletes during the Olympics.

His record for signing autographs is impeccable -- he goes above and
beyond the call of duty to please the fans.  It makes life hard on his
teammates sometimes waiting for him to stop signing autographs so the
bus can leave, but it's hard to argue with someone who loves the game so
much, who has gotten so much from the game and is trying to give it
back.  I've seen clips of him playing out on the courts with little
kids, not his own, mind you, but those that adore and respect the big
bald, awkward looking forward.  Can you imagine how that touches their
lives??  Most other stars simply look away, saying that they don't have
time to give to such trivial things -- not Charles.  Charles is
consistantly rated as one of the most charitable athletes around,
lending his services and his money to many organizations that are aimed
at making life better for others.  He spends a great deal of time
visiting children's hospitals and patients, not because he feels he has
to, but because he wants to.  Surely we all know that Charles is a man
that won't do that which he doesn't want to.  He is fiercely
independent, unafraid to speak his mind regarding anything and
everything.  He says things that the rest of his colleagues are afraid
to say, Michael Jordan once said.  That is what is most frightening --
Charles is very much aware of what goes on, and he just tells it like it
is.

There you have him.  He is at once a plethora of characters.  Charles
the Jester.  Charles the Competitor.  Charles the Superstar.  Charles
the Compassionate.  Charles the Rousers.  Charles the Great.  He asks
only for your respect, that you will never underestimate him.  Needless
to say, for the majority of people, he has all the respect in the world.
God bless you, Charles.

DA FLAV