Charles Barkley congratulated James Harden on passing him on the NBA all-time leading scorers list during a spirited NBA on TNT broadcast last night. Barkley was glum upon first hearing the news, but the Hall of Fame forward rallied to praise the Sixers guard for pushing into the #27 spot on the list and knocking Barkley down to #28.
Shaquille O’Neal — who ranks #8 all time — acted surprised that Barkley was a mere 27th before Harden’s rise. Indeed, Shaq wondered aloud how Barkley could have possibly made the NBA Top 50 and Top 75 teams with such a rank. (Barkley was selected for both honors.)
Barkley’s logic was for once infallible as he shut down O’Neal’s point: “Because I’m 27, fool.” (27 is, for those counting, well inside of 75.) Barkley also ranks #19 all time in rebounds. O’Neal is #15.
Harden will likely soon pass another super 76ers star in Allen Iverson, currently sitting precariously at #26. But Barkley wasn’t concerned with who was above him in the queue — he was looking at what was coming after his #28 rank.
It’s a name that’s very familiar to NBA fans, and to Barkley in particular. Yup, Russell Westbrook is less than 100 points away from also passing Barkley — and even on LeBron James‘s Lakers, Westbrook is a lock to pick up another hundred points this winter.
Barkley acknowledged the inevitability of being passed by Westbrook. Looking sad — resigned might be a better word — Barkley shook his head and said, “Russ gonna pass me next, too.”
Barkley has long admired Westbrook, a player he credited with playing at 110% effort on every occasion. Since Westbrook joined the mostly dysfunctional Lakers, however, it’s been less consistent, much to Barkley’s dismay.
Barkley said this year of Westbrook, “this guy used to be so exuberant, play with great energy and great emotion. I think the wear and tear mentally, last year, starting this year, playing with Patrick Beverley…” (Beverley is Westbrook’s former foil nemesis and current teammate. By all accounts they get along fine now. )
Exuberant or not, Westbrook will surely pass Barkley this season. And the TNT crew will again rejoice in showing Barkley the revised list as he sinks.
