Charles Barkley’s Principles Led Rookie Teammate To be Careful With His Words

During his playing days, former league MVP Charles Barkley was known to swing his hands whenever somebody got under his skin.

Charles Barkley’s Principles Led Rookie Teammate To be Careful With His Words

Cuttino Mobley was aware of Charles Barkley's past (Image via FirstSportz)

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Charles Barkley has always been a man of many words. Be it during his time with the Auburn Tigers, or on his various stops in the NBA, or even during the Dream Team’s run at the 1992 Olympics, he always had quite a bit to say.

That followed him to Inside the NBA, and has gone on to enthrall fans for the better part of two decades. His banter along with his crew members and the unfiltered way he goes about criticizing players have become a part of NBA folklore.

Fans did not want it to stop, and thus lobbied on social media for the show to continue in some way or another. Finally, ESPN managed to bring peace to the land when they brokered a deal to continue broadcasting the show.

Barkley always had this generous and loving side to him. When Cuttino Mobley was drafted to the Houston Rockets, he was initially careful around the superstar. While talking with Matt Barnes on All the Smoke podcast, the former NBA star detailed how it was with the Round Mound of Rebound.

I love them all. I used to carry this little beat up brown bag, and he had money in this bag like a duffel. They would let me hang with them. It was a privilege. I kept my mouth shut and you chill out. Not that anything was bad stuff. When you are rookies, don’t talk, just be a fly on the wall.

Cuttino Mobley said

The former Los Angeles Clippers guard reiterated that Charles Barkley and the other veteran players on the team were very welcoming to him. However, he also knew that as a rookie, he has to keep his mouth shut when not needed.

Cuttino Mobley knew Charles Barkley could toss him over the bar if needed

Even though the Charles Barkley of today is still wild when using his words, he is mild-mannered in his actions. But back during his time in the NBA, he would take a swing or two if required. Cuttino Mobley remembered that as a warning whenever he was talking to the former league MVP.

Charles Barkley and the Houston Rockets
Charles Barkley and the Houston Rockets (Image via Open Source/X)

I love Chuck, man. Chuck was just, he was a people’s person. He would sit at a bar and talk to everybody and just be friendly and things like that. And you know, he was about principle too. You can’t just say anything because he might toss you over the bar and bust in your head. Charles was that type of guy, right?

Cuttino Mobley said

Mobley was referring to the Auburn legend’s reputation of giving it back to people who irritated him. Back in 1997, a teenage Jorge Lugo started throwing ice cubes at Barkley. For a while, the pizza loving forward kept his cool.

But when it became unbearable, the Hall of Famer lifted Lugo up into the air, asked him who he was, and then threw him through a glass window. It seems Mobley knew what would have happened if he antagonized his veteran teammate, and chose to use his words wisely whenever they were at the bar.

Cuttino Mobley loves what Charles Barkley is doing on TV

Nowadays, Charles Barkley reserves his choicest words when criticizing players, or media personnel or trolling teams or anyone he believes needs some sarcastic criticism. That is what Cuttino Mobley likes from his former teammate.

Chuck was a very loving, like just a good dude, man. He’s such a good dude. And I love watching him now, to this day.

Cuttino Mobley said

Thankfully, his former Houston Rockets teammate continues to speak on various podcasts during the offseason. Then, when the 2025-26 season will return, Barkley will be continuing to shoot from Studio J in Atlanta. But he will be broadcast on ESPN, a network he has trolled several times.

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