NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 25: James Harden, winner of the 2017-2018 MVP award, poses with his mom Monja Willis in the backstage photo room during the 2018 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

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Charles Barkley (Photo by PAUL F. GERO/AFP via Getty Images) /

NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history: 21. Charles Barkley

Stats:

22.1 points
11.7 rebounds
3.9 assists

Accomplishments:

11 time All-Star
11 time All-NBA
1 time MVP

There’s a misconception currently taking place. If you weren’t around to see him play and simply grew up on him cracking jokes and critiquing players, you would have a hard time believing that Charles Barkley was ever a great player. He’s currently about 50 pounds over his playing weight and old footage of him is grainy and at times unrecognizable.

Yet, no matter how out of shape he looks now, back in his day, Barkley was undeniably great. For 11 straight years, Barkley averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. At a generous listing of six foot six, Barkley had little to no trouble with banging down low with the big guys. He had all the moves too. Not only was Barkley terrific in the paint but stopping him in transition was practically impossible.

Barkley’s specialty was rebounding on the offensive end. He currently ranks 6th all-time in that department with 4,260. While he never won a title, no one ever places the blame on his shoulders. Barkley spent 10 years in the playoffs where he averaged at least 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. Father Time, of course, got a stranglehold of him later in his career but until then, Barkley was as great as anyone during his prime outside of Michael Jordan.