There was no reason for him to be getting all those rebounds, and to be dunking over people, but he did.
In all the seasons he played, only once, as a rookie, did he not average 10+ rebounds a game.
He is 15th, all time, in rebounds, and that's due to an injury-shortened career. He should, easily, be in the top 10.
Had he not missed so many games.
But, he did.
Charles Barkley is one of those players that didn't have much flash in his game, but his personality was all flash.
That is what made him a pleasure to watch.
And, to root against.
I hated when my team was up against Sir Charles, and whatever team he was on.
Hatred of a player is the biggest sign of respect you can give.
And I gave it to Chuck.
I have spoken about 20 and 10 guys, well, he's another one of those that got his 20 and 10.
But, unlike most, you knew he was getting his 20 and 10.
He didn't do it quietly.
I will close by saying this...
There is no way he should have won that MVP in '93!
Much respect, Chuck.
4. KARL MALONE
Might be the most dominant player at his position, of any position, in NBA history.
Teams had no answer for him.
He was too strong.
He would kill you in the lane, from outside, from the free throw line, on the offensive boards, on the defensive end, and anywhere else on the court.
Everything speaks for itself.
2 time NBA MVP ('97 and '99)
11 time All NBA First Team selections, which includes every season in the 90s, with one of his 2 All NBA Second Team selections coming in the '99-00 season.
He was a 3 time All NBA Defensive First Team selection ('97, '98, and '99).
He is second in career scoring.
First in free throws made and attempted, by quite a distance, too.
He is 7th all time in rebounds.
Karl Malone was a monster.
He had no flash to his game, but he was pretty darn good.
3. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
The man tore down entire baskets.
Shouldn't that be enough?
He was, simply put, amazing.
If there is ever going to be a more dominant player in the NBA, I would feel sorry for NBA players.
We're talking about a 26+ points per game scorer, who shoots 57% from the field, grabs 11+ boards a game, blocks 2+ shots per game, and even leads the occasional fast break.
The dominance he showed in the '90s was uncanny.
His lowest scoring output was 23.4, and that was his rookie year. After that, it was 26.2, and that is because he missed time that season with the Lakers.
His lowest rebounding output was 10.7, which was another year that he missed time with the Lakers, only playing in 49 games.
Nobody could guard him.
Nobody could even prevent him.
Referees had to change the way they called games because of him.
How many players have the distinction of knowing that?
People argue that he would have been even more dominant had he been able to make a free throw here and there, but that's just nitpicking.
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