Charles Barkley landed in Philadelphia as the 5th pick in 1984, stepping into a locker room filled with Sixers’ 1983 glory and a bit of a disappointing 1984 season. Playing alongside Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and Maurice Cheeks, it looked like Philly had a juggernaut built for years. Even as a rookie, Barkley stood out, putting up 14 points, nearly 9 rebounds, and ranking fourth in win shares on a loaded squad. The team kept rolling with 58 wins in his first season and 54 the next. That rise was so fast it might’ve fooled the front office into thinking he could shoulder the whole franchise on his own.

Barkley still remembers draft night in 1986, telling Bill Simmons they were out celebrating because Philly had the No. 1 pick—Brad Daugherty. That draft is remembered most for the heartb

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