Notice Charles Barkley claims he could have been a Trail Blazer, but Portland refused to trade for him

[ripcityboy]

You can 100% hold a choice someone makes against them. Freedom of choice is not freedom of repercussion.

Also, highly doubt any other major star joins Golden State from a team that was as good as OKC. MJ never would’ve joined the pistons even if they had offered him a billion dollars. Bird never would have joined Magic.

Also, you don’t have to actually dislike the guy - but claiming his title is as valuable as say someone like, Dirk Nowitzki would be foolish. This isn’t the era of super teams...there is one... which was allowed by an absurd aberration. In retrospect they should’ve increased it over the course of 2 years, not 1, and let the teams just pay a bonus to staffers, d league, etc to make up the difference in the first year or some shit.

Also, what were Lebron, Wade, and Bosh..... Super Team Lite?

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think people are forgetting just how dominant Charles was in 92-93, arguably the best, yes BEST, player in the world. He was utterly dominant in Barcelona and ended up winning the 93 MVP. That Phoenix team he played on was nice but Phoenix didn't have two players better than Clyde Drexler or Terry Porter. I'd say there's a 7/8-10 chance Portland wins a title with Barkley added to the core.

There's a book out there titled, "Against the World" and it was written by Dwight Jaynes and Kerry Eggers where they detail the 91-92 season. In it, there were anecdotes of trade rumors. I'll need to go back and re-read it, but I believe the rumor was Jerome Kersey, Danny Ainge, and Kevin Duckworth for Charles Barkley and contract fillers.

I always heard was because the Blazers didn't want to part with both Jerome Kersey, Buck Williams. In any event, I'm not surprised the Blazers front office choose fan favorites over trading for a superstar, That probably would have won us a championship. That's also why the Blazers will probably always be considered mediocre.

 

[tykendo]

I always heard was because the Blazers didn't want to part with both Jerome Kersey, Buck Williams. In any event, I'm not surprised the Blazers front office choose fan favorites over trading for a superstar, That probably would have won us a championship. That's also why the Blazers will probably always be considered mediocre.

"always be considered mediocre". I don't think so. Other than Championships, the Blazers have been one of the most successful franchises in the history of the game. There was , I believe, a 21 or 22 year stretch where they never missed the playoffs. They have one of the finest fan bases in sports. That doesn't shout mediocre.

 

[BrianFromWA]

"always be considered mediocre". I don't think so. Other than Championships, the Blazers have been one of the most successful franchises in the history of the game. There was , I believe, a 21 or 22 year stretch where they never missed the playoffs. They have one of the finest fan bases in sports. That doesn't shout mediocre.

21 in a row and 25/27 starting with the '77 Champs.