No. 7: Charles Barkley
Summary: Similar to Shaq, Charles Barkley is someone else I consider a controversial character – but one whose place I can’t deny on this list.
Given the fact that he started out as a shorter and chubbier player, Barkley inherently became an overachiever during his rise up the ranks. Lacking the work ethic in the training room but bringing an almost-unrivaled intensity on the courts, you could say that Barkley was akin to Quentin Jackson in regards to his outspoken attitude and dietary discipline (albeit Jackson actually won a championship).
Nevertheless, a young Barkley – who started off his NBA career being mentored by Moses Malone (another man who could’ve easily made this list) – displayed the vigor as a 76er that would make him a great basketball player and formidable fighter. Whether he was helping Malone hold Larry Bird so that Julius Irving could land hard punches or launching left hooks of his own toward Bill Laimbeer, Barkley could’ve hypothetically made noise in any organization’s heavyweight division.
Charles Barkley vs. Bill Laimbeer: