Yep. But I do think zones would have affected his play a bit, just as it would have all the great post up players of his era.
He would dominate the college ranks even more because of the watered down talent with all the good high school players leaving early. Top 5 pick most definately. Then he would domiante the NBA.
Considering that an ancient and broken down Barkley averaged 15 and 10 in his last season with the Rockets, and that is with a 1 rebound and 2 point final appearance among the 20 games he played (He would have averaged 16 and 11 not counting the injury and comeback games), I think a young Chuckster would dominate in today's NBA. Charles would be the best PF in the game today, and would transform the Bucks much more than Bogut will.
Back when Charles was drafted GMS were far more biased towards simple height then they are now. Obviously there's still a fascination with how tall you are, because frankly, that matters - but there's also a lusting for athletic players and they don't come much more athletic than Chuck. With his athleticism, power and overall orneryness - he'd definintely be a top five draft pick, and a possible No. 1 overall
I think Barkley at his absolute peak would destroy any power forward in the game today. He used to abuse even Karl Malone in the post. When he was focused, he'd do things like score 27 points in a QUARTER and grab 33 boards in a game. He was physical and mean, too. One of my favorite Barkley moments was him and Shaq getting into a confrontation, then Chuck picking up Shaq and slamming him to the ground. This was a Barkley past his prime, and a Shaq nearing the peak of his. I'd love to see highlight videos of the Chuckster. Anyone know of any? I remember his coast-to-coast power jams vividly, mostly with the 76ers. Also his patented baseline drives and dunks. And nobody could stop his fadeaway. When his intensity was up, I don't think he could be guarded. Luckily for Houston, he never seemed to be able to sustain it for a full game in the playoffs, usually getting off to a quick start then fading in the second half.
Amare doesn't have the range, rebounding, post-offence, ball-handling, or passing skills to compete with Barkley. Amare has looked terrible without Nash, and is mainly just a dunker. Duncan has an argument based on his defense, but he is offensively and in rebounding inferior to a young Barkley. The Chuckster was often played as a small forward with the Sixers, and was a center in college. He is just more versatile than the others (even a so-so 3pt shooter) and better in many traditional powr forward skills.
Amare won't be the rebounder barkley was probably, but I think he'll surpass him on offense. He is much more than a dunker. He has tremendous footwork around the basket and when he develops more moves it will be scary. Probably too early for me to say that he is better than Barkley. Looking at the stats, Duncan wasn't inferior to Barkley in either scoring or rebounding. And Duncan is the superior post player in my opinion, both in scoring and in passing. Plus Duncan has the rings.
After the Barkley rule and the zone, it would be harder for him to use his fat ass to back down the key. Then again, he was a great outlet passer and a rebounding monster. With the Zone rules, his help defense was alright. He might've scored less, but he probably would've gotten a ring.
charles was a special player and would have dominated in any era. he was at that elite level of players to EVER play the game. no era would have stopped charles. he would put 20 & 10 on anyone, in any era.
Did you watch the vid that Bruce posted? That was awesome. I loved his attitude. Especially when he slammed in the dudes face and then chunked the ball at him.
He played hard all the time, and ATTACKED the rim, he is a top 20 player ALL time. He would DOMINATE today just like yesterday. DD
