Charles Barkley is one of the greatest players to ever step foot on a basketball court. However, in recent news, the onetime great wasn't shy when telling reports that he is fully aware he isn't as good as Kobe Bryant. Fans have heard a lot from Barkley over the past couple of months. For instance, Barkley made headlines just a few weeks ago, when he found himself wrapped up in a feud with Kings' star DeMarcus Cousins.
Before his time as a professional, Barkley played college ball for the University of Auburn. During that time, he was named SEC Player of the Year, and he was awarded three different All-SEC selections.
His notable performances earned him a fifth overall pick by the 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft. After that, Chares went on to become one of the most decorated players in history.
Although, according to TMZ Sports, Barkley recently admitted that he knows he was never as good as Kobe:
"Charles Barkley is a lot of things, but delusional isn't one of them...because the NBA legend seems to know exactly where he ranks in basketball supremacy...and it's behind Kobe Bryant...Sir Charles was at LAX [when he was asked about] how the Mamba will be remembered once he hangs it up...Chuck was quick to say he's not on Kobe's level...not even close. Charles is right, but you just don't hear athletes (especially NBA players) admit ANYONE is better than them."
Also, since his retirement from the sport, he has gotten a somewhat negative reputation. Based on a report by USA Today, this bad reputation was exemplified in a feud with DeMarcus Cousins:
"Charles Barkley is likely the most outspoken analyst in all of professional sports -- just last week Barkley ranted against the reliance on analytics...but Kings center and All-Star DeMarcus Cousins isn't letting Barkley's frequent criticism bother him...Amid reports that the Kings were consulting Cousins on the hire of coach George Karl, Barkley was incredulous that the team would value his opinion so highly...Cousins said that he didn't have 'anything to do' with Karl's hiring and said he doesn't respect Barkley's opinion..."
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