“I hate people from Auburn” – When Charles Barkley went TOO FAR when trash-talking 7-time NBA champion

Robert Horry's memorable encounter with Charles Barkley: A test of guts and determination in the world of professional basketball.

“I hate people from Auburn” – When Charles Barkley went TOO FAR when trash-talking 7-time NBA champion

Charles Barkley vs Robert Horry (via Getty Images)

Professional basketball is a field where veteran players and legends welcome the new ones in an uncommon practice for each case. They may use violent conflicts, psychological matches, and intimidation strategies to test these young players’ nerves. When playing, Robert Horry received a message from Charles Barkley that led to one of the most unforgettable events of Horry proving his invincibility.

For instance, in “Big Shot Rob” due to his ability to deliver crucial shots every time, Barkley chose to challenge the youthful Horry with an elbow shot. It was evident from this altercation in front of the referee that Barkley wasn’t backing down.

YouTube video

Recalling his rookie season incident, Horry stated:

FS Video
We running down the court. Charles elbows me right in the middle of the stomach, right in front of Dick Bavetta. And I looked at Dick, and Dick just shrugs. Then I come back down, and I just hit him in the back of his neck and say, 'Hey. Don't do that to me. You from Auburn, too, and I hate people from Auburn. You done messed up now.' But back in the day, guys would do that. We always talk about that 'Welcome to NBA' moment.

Being naturally brave, Horry was not afraid of intimidation by popular celebrities or experienced veterans. During an interview with Dan Patrick, he stated that he was aware that elder players tended to evaluate the young ones by ascertaining where their hearts and courage lay.

The battle of guts: Robert Horry’s stand against Charles Barkley, a testament to character and strength on the court

The test of character was absolute, and it proved how ready Horry was to engage somebody like Barkley directly. Many other players would perhaps have lost heart at facing such an opponent like Barkley, as this fact speaks volumes about his strength.

Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley (courtesy Getty Images)

Maybe, Robert Horry’s childhood could have made him so firm-minded. He grew up under harshness and sternness because his father was a soldier. On one occasion he told his story of being whipped by his parent and grandparent for stealing as a boy thief. The fact is that, for Horry, there were never any challenges to him in terms of bodily blocks on basketball floors.

Interestingly it can be seen that Robert Horry does not have much respect for Charles Barkley, his rival from the Western Conference. He made a critical comment towards Barkley and his comparison of Kevin Duren.

In case you missed: