NBA: 12 players whose skills ideally match today’s uptempo play style

Charles Barkley, Forward (1984-2000)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets

Career best stat line: 28.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 60% FG (1987-88)

If you look at what Draymond Green does on offense for the Golden State Warriors, in terms of playmaking from the post and grabbing a rebound to go coast to coast, if you added elite scoring, better rebounding, and athleticism, it would give you a glimpse of what Charles Barkley could do.

Barkley was difficult to stop down in the block for his entire career. Even towards the end, when he was a shell of himself, in Houston. But in his Sixer days, where he had youth on his side and was in slightly better shape, Barkley was dangerous in the open court.

He had the ballhandling ability to bring the ball up himself and was built like a tank. In a Pace and Space era, where multiple ballhandlers/playmakers are coveted, Barkley offensive skills would flourish in today’s game.