Charles Barkley was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player today, breaking a decade-long lock on the award by three guys named Larry, Michael and Magic.
With Larry Bird and Magic Johnson retired, Barkley had only Michael Jordan of those three to beat out, and the NBA announced this morning that that's exactly what Sir Charles had done."I don't know what criteria they use. One year, I should have won, but it's just one of those things," the 6-foot-6 forward said Monday night after helping the Phoenix Suns beat Seattle 105-91 in Game 1 of the Western Conference final.
Barkley won the award with 835 points, including 59 first-place votes. Barkley and Jordan were the only players named on all 98 ballots cast by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters in NBA cities.
Yet, Jordan finished only third, behind Hakeem Olajuwon of Houston. Olajuwon had 647 points, including 22 first-place votes, while Jordan had 565 points and 13 first-place votes.
The remaining four first-place votes went to Patrick Ewing of New York, who was fourth with 359 points.
"Winning is what he's all about, and he does whatever it takes," Phoenix Suns teammate Dan Majerle said.
Bird won the award in 1984, '85 and '86. Johnson won in '87, '89 and '90, and Jordan won in 1988 and the past two years. Moses Malone was MVP in 1982 and '83.
Barkley entered the league in 1984, the fall after Bird won his first of three straight awards. In the last six seasons, Johnson and Michael Jordan each won it three times.
"Chuck is largely responsible for the success we've had," Suns coach Paul Westphal said. "He's gotten a tremendous amount of help from his teammates, but his attitude and his toughness have been key to our record and our success. He comes ready to play, and he makes sure his teammates do, too."
Barkley completed the regular season with a career total of 16,128 points, a 23.5 average, and 8,007 rebounds, averaging 11.7.