"I need to quit drinking."
One day in July 1998, shortly after the finals ended, before the labor negotiations had settled, and when Michael Jordan suddenly announced his retirement, Charles Barkley seemed to be inspired or stimulated. He decided to give up alcohol.
Like Jordan, Barkley was also a good friend of his, with both having entered the League together. Every summer, they would train together, play golf together, attend various events, shoot commercials, documentaries, and appear on talk shows.
All of a sudden, Jordan decided to leave. Although there had been signs, the decision was still abrupt.
Barkley and Jordan had a strong competitive relationship. The 1994 Finals was the most thrilling battle outside of the Gan vs. Jordan battle, where Barkley gave it his all but still lost to the Bulls and Jordan.
Before he focused on surpassing Ah Gan, Jordan, who was in the Eastern Conference most of the time, was Barkley’s main target. To reach the Finals, he had to overcome Michael.
This somewhat annoying but full of goodwill friend was about to end his career like this.
Under the terrifying reign of Ah Gan, Jordan still reaped rewards—six Finals, three championships, four MVPs, countless scoring titles, and other honors and memorable moments.
After Jordan’s press conference, Barkley immediately called him. Jordan said over the phone, "I had a wonderful career, Charles. I have regrets, but I don’t care anymore. That’s life."
"When did you become a philosopher, damn it! No wonder you’re retiring!" Barkley mocked Jordan on the phone.
Although he said this, there was a void inside him.
Michael retired, left, with regrets but more accomplishments—a basketball career without regrets.
And looking at himself? Two Finals appearances, one loss to Ah Gan, one defeat to Jordan, running around, all for nothing.
In a game against the Lakers in February 1998, Barkley hit a game-winner, only to celebrate and drink heavily that night, causing him to miss the following day’s training and the back-to-back games.
When Pat Riley’s men found him, Barkley was sound asleep in a private room of a bar.
Riley was furious and suspended Barkley for two games, but Barkley didn’t care, continuing his indulgent, undisciplined life.
In the 1998 playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round, another failed season.
They went into a decisive battle of five against the young Boston Celtics, but Drexler performed poorly, shooting 1 for 13 in the last battle, leaving Barkley furious and frustrated. He reprimanded Drexler for completely losing his competitive spirit.
Yet Drexler didn’t care. He held up four fingers to Barkley and then announced his retirement, leaving the NBA.
Olajuwon left, Drexler retired, both wearing championship rings, leaving only Barkley empty-handed.
In the series against Tim Duncan, Barkley was completely suppressed by this young, tall rookie, rumored to be the second coming of Ah Gan.
His arms swollen, legs heavy, knees numb, the physical fatigue deepened his feelings of depression. Since May, he had been soaking in alcohol, using the drunken feeling to resist life’s defeats.
His weight soared again to nearly 300 pounds, making him more suited to sumo wrestling than staying on a basketball court that requires running back and forth.
When Jordan decided to leave, Barkley finally realized that his career time was running out. Perhaps the next season would be his last. Who knows?
Standing in front of the mirror, looking at his poorly managed figure, Barkley knew he needed to quit drinking, lose weight, and work hard to recover his form during the offseason.
But Barkley faced another dilemma—where should he play in the 1998-1999 season?
He couldn’t stay with the Heat. Pat Riley, that vampire, promised greatness when you joined, but once your performance declined on the court, with no value left, Riley would show his harsh face.
Barkley regretted having come to the Heat. He should’ve gone to the Trail Blazers. If he first went to the Trail Blazers and waited for Ah Gan’s return in 1996, he wouldn’t be considered as riding coattails.
Instead, he could say, "Ah Gan returned to Portland because of me!" Then win a championship with Ah Gan, it would be wonderful.
Unfortunately, Barkley didn’t foresee Ah Gan’s return, nor did any marquee players want to join there. Such is the unpredictability of life.
With the Trail Blazers’ failure in the 1997 season, Barkley was ready to go to Portland to help Ah Gan.
But he never expected the Trail Blazers to be so successful in the 1998 season, successful to the point where Barkley’s joining Portland would not be strengthening but rather begging.
With him or without him, what difference would it make?
Although Barkley yearned for a championship, he wanted the championship cup to contain his contributions, not just be there to get a ring.
Just at this time, Olajuwon, a former Heat teammate, invited Barkley, hoping he would come to the Nets.
With major funding behind them, after a season of dormancy, they aimed to make a huge splash this summer, forming a super team to challenge the Portland Trail Blazers’ dominance.
As Barkley hesitated, watching Pippen join, Derek Harper join, Mitch Richmond arrive, a super team slowly took shape, and Barkley was tempted.