Charles Barkley waited eight long years to make the NBA Finals.
When one of the most talented players in league history finally reached basketball’s biggest stage, he walked away humbled, sleepless and depressed.
When Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley met, there could only be one winnerCredit: Getty
That’s how tough Michael Jordan was in 1993.
And Barkley, who won the regular-season MVP, wasn’t able to forget it.
“I think this guy might be better than me,” Barkley recalled telling his daughter. “I never said that about another basketball player in my life, ever. But I remember being so depressed.”
The Chicago Bulls won the 1993 Finals 4-2 when John Paxson drilled a stunning last-second 3-pointer on the Phoenix Suns’ home court.
Jordan used Barkley’s MVP award for personal motivation.
“I didn’t get the MVP that year,” Jordan said. “They gave it to Charles Barkley.
“With that said, ‘OK, fine. You can have that. I’m gonna get this.’ ”
Entering the series, Barkley was excited to play MJ man to man.
Barkely put up big numbers but didn’t have the same force as Jordan
Years later, Barkley was left to reflect on his biggest NBA loss
The Round Mound of Rebound and former Philadephia 76ers star believed it was his best chance to overcome Air Jordan with the world watching.
“This is what I wanted,” Barkley said. “I’m telling myself, ‘Well, I’m the best player. I just didn’t have no d*** help in Philly.’ ”
What followed was a legendary NBA Finals dominance by a 10-time scoring champion widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all-time.
Jordan averaged a surreal 41 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the 1993 Finals.
Barkley was also impressive, averaging 27.3 points, 13 rebonds and 5.5 assists.
In Game 2, he battled Jordan blow for blow, pouring in 42 points in 46 minutes.
But Chicago grabbed Game 1 on the road and returned to the United Center with a huge 2-0 lead.
As the series found its defining point, Jordan became the man and Barkley ended up as the No. 2.
Jordan and Barkley have been friends, competitors, enemies and golfing buddies
The Bulls won their third consecutive world title and first of two three-peats with Air Jordan leading the way.
Barkley, who has gone on to have a stellar TV career as an NBA analyst, was left to process being on the other side of basketball history.
“I was just in shock when it was over,” Barkley said. “I was frustrated because I couldn’t wheel my team past Michael and the Bulls.
“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over it. … That was traumatic.
“I stayed up for like a day and a half. I just couldn’t sleep and I was so frustrated.”
Unlike Barkley, Larry Bird had a playoff advantage against Jordan, going 6-0 in the postseason and 17-11 overall.
The Boston Celtics, who are being inspired by coach Joe Mazzulla’s UFC videos, are trying to do what Bird didn’t and sweep the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals.