Fan Vote Results: The greatest Phoenix Sun of all time
By Luke Duffy
3. Charles Barkley (15% of the vote)
The “Round Mound of Rebound” was always going to make this list, although some might be surprised to see Charles Barkley get as many votes as he did. After all, he only played four seasons with the franchise and is one of those rare players who is well known for playing in several different cities.
An All-Star every season he was with the Suns (every year from 1986-1997 actually), Barkley was a phenomenon for the franchise. He was the focal point of that run to the 1993 finals, and was named MVP of the league that season. 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds in 76 games tells you why.
He had heart, he had personality and he had broken through into the mainstream in 1992 as part of The USA’s Dream Team at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Who could forget that “I Am Not A Role Model” advert from around that time as well?
These days Barkley has a more complicated relationship with the Suns, and despite often rooting form them on national television, is also just as likely to say that they are currently not true contenders to win it all. Younger fans only know him as the analyst on TV, but for a certain generation, Barkley’s words can sting.
Wanting to join the Houston Rockets and a superteam featuring Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler also doesn’t sit well with some. To be fair to Barkley, he recognized time was running out to win a championship, and wanted to give himself the best chance he could. Suns fans loved Paul for coming to Phoenix for the same reason. His four year stretch rivals any Suns player though.