Charles Barkley is a professional basketball player. is a professional basketball player. is a professional basketball player., who is known for being modest and reserved when it comes to sharing his thoughts, offered the Philadelphia 76ers some unsolicited advise about their dispute with star Ben Simmons. He even volunteered to speak with the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year on the team’s behalf.
The 76ers are under no obligation to offer Simmons what he wants, which is allegedly a trade to a California club in Los Angeles or the Bay Area, according to Barkley. According to reports, the young star has informed the club that he wants to be moved and that he intends to miss training camp. While Simmons’ situation isn’t the same as Barkley’s and the 76ers’ almost 30 years ago, there’s still a lot of irony in Barkley urging the club to take a strong stance.
Charles Barkley requested a trade to get him out of Philly.
Charles Barkley requested a trade after the Philadelphia 76ers went 35–47 in 1991–92, missing the playoffs for just the second time in his eight years with the team.
Former 76ers general manager Jim Lynam spoke on the split between superstar and team on the Sixers Talk podcast in April 2020.
“From Charles’ point of view, he made it clear that he didn’t want to be here in any way. And, in retrospect — and this is just my view — I believe we made a mistake by listening to him. To this day, I tell Charles that.”
Jim Lynam, the former GM of the Philadelphia 76ers,
In May 1992, Lynam was promoted from coach to general manager. Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang, and Tim Perry in his first trade. While leading Phoenix to the NBA Finals in 1992–93, Barkley was named NBA MVP. Doug Moe, the new coach, only lasted 56 games, and Philadelphia ended with a record of 26–56, their worst in 20 years. Hornacek was fantastic. Perry and Lang? Not at all.
Ben Simmons has a stronghold on Barkley’s heart.
Charles Barkley was candid about Ben Simmons’ trade demands during an interview on The Mike Missanelli Show.
“This is complete nonsense, and if I’m the Sixers, I’m going to call Ben Simmons.’ We had our annual Sixers dinner the other night, and I told those guys, ‘I’m going to phone Ben Simmons.’ It’s OK if you desire to be exchanged. We’re not going to give you away. We’re not going to trade you to the place where you wish to go.
“’We won’t take 25 cents on the dollar from someone who wants to back out of the agreement. You’ll be playing right here in Philadelphia if we don’t get the deal we want. We paid you $200 million ($169.65 million, but who’s counting? ), and all we want you to do is shoot the damn basketball, and now you’re angry because we’re asking you to shoot the damn basketball.’
Charles Barkley
Barkley continued his tirade by claiming that if Simmons does not play, the 76ers should threaten to suspend him and withdraw his large salary.
Ben Simmons was accused of being soft by Charles Barkley.
The Philadelphia 76ers, according to Charles Barkley, should not give in to Ben Simmons’ demands. | Getty Images/Tim Nwachukwu
Simmons came under fire after the 76ers lost in the Eastern Conference playoffs to the Atlanta Hawks. Throughout the series, he missed open shots, especially late in games, and he was a complete catastrophe at the free-throw line. Coach Doc Rivers responded to the question of whether Simmons could lead a team to a championship as a point guard without harming the All-Star. Simmons felt attacked after receiving criticism from NBA great Joel Embiid.
Charles Barkley, on the other hand, isn’t convinced.
“That was the gentlest remark; it was a reasonable remark. First and foremost, I blame Ben No. 1, because he’s already had one coach fired for refusing to shoot the ball, and now he’s on the clock.”
Charles Barkley
Barkley isn’t ready to let Rivers off the hook completely.
“If I had a dime for every time I heard him say, ‘Wait, you want me to pull Ben Simmons out of the game?’ I’d be a millionaire. ‘Yes, we do, that’s why we keep asking, we’re playing five on four,’ I say.
Charles Barkley
Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia, regardless of whether Barkley loves or agrees with him. It’s the NBA, after all. Star players almost always get what they want. That’s a question you should ask James Harden.
You may also contact Charles Barkley.
Basketball Reference provided the transaction data.
RELATED: Charles Barkley Understands Why 76ers Fans Are Furious With Ben Simmons: They’re furious because he’s afraid.
