The 1992 and 1996 USA Olympic teams both had the highest honour of receiving a gold medal and deemed the ‘dream teams’ of USA Olympic Basketball because of their bolstering rosters and overall dominance throughout both tournaments. Charles Barkley was apart of both teams and although not ever having the privilege of calling himself a NBA champion, his 2 gold medals are still impressive accolades for the Hall of famer.
Despite being on both teams, it seems Barkley really only had fun on the 1992 team, which including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Larry Bird, David Robinson and Karl Malone, all legends in their own right. Charles Barkley was a guest on SiriusXM Bleacher Report Radio and spoke on many topics, including Jason Williams recent comments on him being a ‘loser’ and his time with the 1996 USA Basketball team:
“For the whole couple months, [the 1992 team] got along like it was the greatest thing in the world. Nobody had an ego,” Barkley told Ric Bucher and Nicole Zaloumis of SiriusXM Bleacher Report Radio on Tuesday. “In ’96, guys started complaining about playing time—guys started [saying] ‘well I should be starting.’ And I’m like ‘wait a minute, y’all [aren’t] even that good compared to the team I used to be on.'”
“It was not a lot of fun hearing guys bitch and complain all the time about who should be starting,” Barkley said. “… In ’96, it was a nightmare. Guys complained about playing time and starting the whole time. I hated it.”
Barkley also spoke on Jason Williams recent comments about him being a ‘loser.’ After Barkley’s comments on Durant’s decision to sign with the Warriors, citing his disappointment for Durant’s actions. Now, It seems Barkley doesn’t have the time in his day to even respond to Williams comments:
Barkley’s response: “Now I have to respond to Jason Williams? … I’m never gonna get to the point where I have to respond to Jason Williams.”
Clearly, Barkley doesn’t see Williams point as valid. As for the 1996 USA Olympic Team, the roster was arguably one of the best USA basketball rosters as well, so Barkley’s complaints about them not being half as good, might be a little exaggeration.
The 1996 USA Basketball Roster:
1. Charles Barkley
2. Penny Hardaway
3. Grant Hill
4. Karl Malone
5. Reggie Miller
6. Hakeem Olajuwon
7. Shaquille O’Neal
8. Gary Payton
9. Scottie Pippen
10. Mitch Richmond
11. David Robinson
12. John Stockton
Since Barkley, Malone, Olajuwon, Pippen, Robinson and Stockton were all on the 1992 team and Barkley said he had no issues with those guys, it must have been one of the younger and newer additions, all of which went on to have hall-of-fame type careers. Chuck really confuses me sometimes.
