When infuriated Charles Barkley said “You can’t control people with money” as he chased referee into locker room

Charles Barkley was one of the most exciting players in the NBA in the 1990s, displaying an elite level of tenacity. During one game with the Phoenix Suns, Barkley got heated with a game official, which resulted in him chasing the referee into the locker room.

When a referee comes across an upset Barkley, a confrontation is bound to happen. While Chuck was persistently seeking answers from the officials, one of them commented that it would cost the 11-time All-Star a price. The undersized forward didn't enjoy the comments and expressed his disappointment to the media.

"I don't think he should say to me that 'it's coing to cost you money.' The league, they're making money. They don't control you with money," Barkley said.

"You can't control people with money. He said to me, 'This gon' cost you money.' I don't care about the money. I got the money he got. Don't tell me that it's gon' cost me money because I'm criticizing the officiating."

The New York Knicks arrived in Phoenix for a regular-season game on Jan. 18, 1993. During the game, Barkley went up for a 3-point shot on the left side of the floor and was contested by Anthony Mason. Chuck missed and complained to the officials that his shot should've been called a shooting foul.

The Knicks won the game, and Barkley finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks. Despite the final buzzer being heard in the entire arena, Barkley wasn't finished dealing with the referees. He approached the officials seeking an answer, even following them on their way to the locker room.

Also read: When Charles Barkley confessed his crush on Tom Brady, only to be embarrassed later: “Damn, you’re a pretty man”

Charles Barkley thinks the Suns can't win anything this season

The Phoenix Suns (22-24) haven't been the same team since Devin Booker went down with a groin injury. The Suns have struggled and don't have any direction as of now.

Charles Barkley was asked if he thinks Phoenix will get a chance to be in the postseason.

"I don't think they will," Barkley said. "I just think there's too mucuh stuff going on."

According to Barkley, the team hasn't mentally recovered from their disappointing loss against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2022 playoffs.

"Not the fact that they lost," Barkley said. "The way they lost, they have not recovered mentally. ... I've seen teams lose Game 7s. But I've never seen a team down 25-30 at halftime at home in a Game 7, and just implode in the second half."

Also read: Charles Barkley argues that LeBron James had a head start to breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record