Charles Barkley turns 50 today. Charles Barkley is one of those great athletes who played a team sport who never won a championship. He was an outstanding player an 11 time All-Star, MVP of the league in 1993. He averaged 22.1 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game. In fairness to Charles while he played on some very good teams he never played with a team that was ‘the team to beat.” It seems like in the NBA unlike the other sports the best teams usually win.

A great thing about Barkley was his skills as a rebounder for a 6’6″ player. He was undersized yet was one of the great rebounders ever. I like to use Charles along with Dennis “The Worm” Rodman as examples of why you don’t have to be the tallest player to be the best rebounder.

I have always enjoyed the outspoken Charles Barkley. Not saying I always agree with his opinions but he is never boring.