From being one of the most feared and explosive players in the NBA, to a beloved analyst on American sports television, Charles Barkley's popularity has gone to a new level in recent years.
The former Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns star has become a staple of the much-loved Inside the NBA show hosted by Ernie Johnson, and alongside fellow regulars Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, are arguably the greatest panel ever assembled by a sports network.
And while Barkley's ability to make jokes at his own expense and rib O'Neal has shown off his sense of humour, it shouldn't take away from the incredible skill and ability he had as a player while on the court. A former MVP of the league and an 11-time NBA All-Star, Barkley might not have won a title in his NBA career - something his Inside the NBA co-stars are quick to remind him of - but is up there as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, being named to the 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Given his decades of both playing and watching the NBA at a close and high level, Barkley is in a unique position to offer his assessment of players. And, when asked about who the greatest point guards in NBA history were, the 62-year-old had a rather surprising answer.
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Speaking in the summer of 2022 after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to add yet another title to the franchise's legacy, Barkley had this to say about Stephen Curry and his place among the greatest point guards in history.
I said after he won this one, that puts him on the list with Isiah Thomas. He’s at the table in the Hall of Fame with Isiah Thomas as probably the best point guards. Those two guys are probably the two best points to ever play the game.
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While Curry and Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas can rightly consider themselves part of the Hall of Fame and among the greatest players the game has ever seen, most observers have Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson as the best point guard of all-time. So, when pressed about why he had left Magic off his list, Barkley had this to say.
Magic Johnson is a little unique because he’s a 6-foot-10 point guard. He played it differently. But I put Steph right up there with Isiah Thomas as the best little guards to ever play the game.
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While Barkley gave his props to Curry and what he has achieved in the game, he did admit that given the choice between the Warriors star and Thomas, he would go with the latter all day long.
I'll be honest with you, if I was in a game, and If I had to choose, and I love Steph Curry, I know people are gonna go to the internet cause they ain't got no life. If I had to choose between Steph Curry and Isiah, I'd probably go with Isiah in a scenario. I love Steph, I love Isiah, but if I had one guy, if I had to choose between those two, I'm not gonna ever choose against Isiah.
Given the kind of furore and drama that came with the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys team of the late 1980s, it's understandable why Isiah Thomas' career is somewhat underrated - especially following the comments made by Michael Jordan during The Last Dance documentary.
But despite all that, Thomas can count himself as a legitimate superstar, having won the NBA title twice and being named the Finals MVP in that second triumph. A leader among men, the 6 foot 1 star ran the show for the Pistons and was their no.1 option, while his grit and determination fit in seamlessly with Detroit basketball.
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Despite being one of the best point guards to ever play the game, Stephen Curry's name doesn't really come up in the conversation of being the greatest player of all-time. But, in Barkley's eyes, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history should be ranked up there among the best to do it.
He’s one of the greatest players we’ve ever had. He’s a great kid, too. It’s always fun to see him and be around him. He’s had an unbelievable career. I look at all these lists, he’s somewhere between 10 and 20. It just depends on your preference. But he’s had an unbelievable career. And it’s not over yet.
A four-time NBA champion, Curry won back-to-back MVPs in 2015 and 2016 when he was arguably at the peak of his career and the Golden State Warriors were a winning machine. His 2016 season - though it didn't result in a championship at the end of it - saw him win MVP, named to the All-Star team, voted into the All-NBA First Team, and finish the year as both the scoring champion and the steals leader.
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If the Warriors front office can make some more moves to add talent around Curry, then there's no reason why the point guard can't add to his haul of titles before his career comes to an end. Whatever the case, his legacy in the game is already secure.