“Who’s going to have the better career?” – Billy Cunningham said the Sixers weren’t dead set on drafting Charles Barkley back in 1984 originally appeared on Basketball Network.
In a 2023 interview, Billy Cunningham revisited a pivotal moment in Philadelphia 76ers history. Speaking on the “Fresh 24 with Marc Zumoff” podcast, the Hall of Famer took listeners back to 1984 — the year the franchise held the fifth overall pick.
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In hindsight, the Sixers used it on a bruising, undersized forward out of Auburn named Charles Barkley. But according to Cunningham, who was head coach at the time, the decision wasn’t as clear-cut as it seems now. Behind the scenes, there was a debate about which player to select.
The concerns surrounding Chuck
Today, Barkley is widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards in league history — an 11-time All-Star, 1993 MVP and a member of both the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. But in the early to mid-80s, it’s safe to say that few predicted his rise to basketball royalty.
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One major reason? Chuck’s conditioning — or more accurately, the lack of it. Tales of the future Hall of Famer devouring entire pizzas before workouts are now part of NBA folklore. Amusing in hindsight, but at the time, it set off alarms in front offices.
His build didn’t help, either. Barkley — officially listed at 6’6 “, 252 pounds — was considered too heavy-footed for a small forward. Conversely, he was seen as too undersized to bang with power forwards on the big stage.
Ultimately, many NBA franchises simply couldn’t figure out where the Alabama native would fit. The Sixers were no exception; despite Sir Charles dominating the SEC — winning both Player of the Year and Tournament MVP — they still had doubts.
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Barkley vs. Perkins
According to Cunningham, another factor complicated the prospect of drafting Barkley: the appeal of North Carolina’s Sam Perkins, whom the former Sixers head coach recalled as very enticing.
Perkins’s NBA résumé may not shine beyond making the All-Rookie First Team in 1985, but his earlier career had been truly impressive. He was a three-time All-American, a key player on the 1982 national champion Tar Heels, and a 1984 Olympic gold medalist.
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Beyond the accolades, “Big Smooth” fit the Sixers’ needs perfectly, as “The Kangaroo Kid” remembered.
“The beauty of Sam [Perkins] was he could play two spots: he could be the backup to Moses [Malone] and he also could be a power forward with great range and the ability to shoot the three,” said Bill.
It’s interesting to imagine how the lefty big man, with his rebounding and floor spacing, would fare in today’s fast-paced NBA. Even then, he had many admirers, including those within Philadelphia’s front office, who debated, as Cunningham recalled, whether Barkley or Perkins would have the “better career.”
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Ultimately, as the four-time NBA All-Star Game head coach noted, fate made that draft choice for them.
When the Dallas Mavericks selected Perkins fourth overall, the Sixers had no choice but to pick Barkley — a twist Cunningham admits basically fell into their lap.
Sometimes the best things in life happen unexpectedly.
Chuck’s arrival in Philadelphia proved exactly that. Although the now 62-year-old eventually forced his way out after eight seasons to join the Phoenix Suns, his legacy in the City of Brotherly Love remains untouchable.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.