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Charles Barkley is one of the greatest NBA players to not win a championship. Barkley played 16 seasons in the league, but only went to the NBA Finals once. However, the Hall of Famer is pretty happy with his life despite not having a title on his resume.
Timothy Bella of The Washington Post recently released "Barkley: A Biography," a book about "Sir Charles" and his life. In an article on HoopsHype, Bella released Barkley's thoughts about not winning a championship:
"I don't think a championship would do that much for me. It won't make me feel like, well, now my life is complete. Trust me, my life is pretty damn complete. I always tell people, I don't think that anybody could have had a better life than me. I really don't."
"Barkley: A Biography" explores the legend's childhood in Leeds, Alabama to his legendary NBA career. Barkley's post-NBA career was also discussed in detail, and how he became a popular figure on television.
Barkley was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the famed 1984 draft, two picks after Michael Jordan. He spent eight seasons in Philadelphia before he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992. He was named league MVP in his first season in Phoenix.
"The Round Mound of Rebound" also led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, but lost to Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games. Barkley spent four years in Phoenix before getting traded to the Houston Rockets.
ALSO READ: "I said, well I don't want to work to the day I drop dead" - Charles Barkley extends TNT contract
Charles Barkley teamed up with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in Houston, but they never made it to the NBA Finals. He played his final NBA game on April 19, 2000 against the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Despite not winning a championship, Barkley has two Olympic gold medals and was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice.
To read Timothy Bella's article on HoopsHype about his book, click here.
Charles Barkley recovered from serious injury to play final NBA game
Charles Barkley suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon 19 games into his final season. Barkley knew that his career was over when the injury happened, but he didn't want his last image as an NBA player was him being carried off the court.
Barkley endured a grueling rehabilitation for four months and played one final game on April 19, 2000. In six minutes, he recorded two points and grabbed a rebound. He told Craig Sager after the game that his effort to return for his last game was worth it (via HoopsHype):
"It was worth it. It was definitely worth it. I put a lot of time and effort into my rehab. Hey, my last memory was scoring a basket, not being carried off the court. That was a bonus. I really just wanted to get a rebound, and it took me a long time to get a rebound."
Guess the Lakers players!
