When fans discuss players who completely flipped the script for their franchises, names like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan usually come up first. While Bird instantly made the Boston Celtics the best team in the league as a rookie, Jordan completely changed the culture within the Chicago Bulls organization, and eventually, both these stars even led their teams to championships to prove the change they brought.
Cedric Ceballos, however, once swore that Charles Barkley had a similar effect on the Phoenix Suns.
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Even though the Suns may have never lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy with Barkley, every team was flat-out “scared” to face them.
Ceballos on what energy Barkley brought to the Suns
Before Barkley arrived in Phoenix, the Suns were competitive but not threatening on the grand stage. They were eliminated in the first round of the 1991 playoffs and managed to win just one game in their second round series in 1992.
Then came the 1992-93 campaign, wherein the team logged the best offensive rating and league record (62-20) before marching all the way to the NBA Finals. The following year, the Suns continued to shine, etching a 56-26 record (fifth-best) and once again having the best offensive rating.
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According to Ceballos, the effect of Barkley’s leadership extended far beyond what numbers could show. Interestingly, the mindset that the entire Suns team possessed made the opposition fear them any given night, so much so that all opposing teams knew that if they weren’t at their best, Phoenix would most likely humiliate them. On top of that, even when they were at their A-game, a win wasn’t guaranteed.
“The role of being Mr. Big Tough guy all the time, making sure everybody knew the Suns were coming to town and it’s a possibility of you getting blown out, getting your butt kicked or whatever,” Cedric said on how Chuck changed the narrative about the organization.
Barkley’s footprint in Phoenix wasn’t valued by all
Chuck’s time in Phoenix was highlighted by the 1993 Finals run, which marked the franchise’s first appearance on that stage in nearly two decades. In that season, he also edged out Jordan for league MVP during the latter’s prime years — an achievement that spoke volumes about his dominance.
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Yet, despite his brilliance, Barkley could not carry the Suns past the final hurdle. Thus, it seems safe to assert that in the NBA, legacies of transformation are measured not only by moments of excellence but by sustained dominance or the ultimate validation of a championship, something which Sir Charles couldn’t achieve with the Suns, or any other franchise for that matter.
So, while Ceballos might have enjoyed being one of the most dominant teams in the regular season alongside Barkley, in the larger perspective of league history, The Round Mound of Rebound’s impact did not extend with the same consistency or final reward as players like MJ or Larry Legend.
The Suns might have possessed offensive firepower unlike any before, but their lack of silverware showed that they always lacked the “It-factor” when it mattered the most.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.