Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 26, 1993 TAG: 9305260036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PHOENIX LENGTH: Medium
The answer came Tuesday - Charles Barkley, in a landslide.
The 6-foot-6 Phoenix forward received 59 first-place votes and 835 points to 22 and 647 for Hakeem Olajuwon of Houston.
A nationwide panel of 98 NBA writers and broadcasters gave two-time winner Michael Jordan of Chicago 13 first-place votes and Patrick Ewing of New York four. The award was announced from league headquarters in New York.
Barkley's austere work ethic, undiluted by worry about hurt feelings, proved as valuable as his scoring and rebounding in helping the Suns win a franchise-record 62 games. Barkely, in his first season with Phoenix, joined the Suns after eight years with Philadelphia, where his outspoken manner became as much his trademark and his rim-shaking dunks.
"At the time of the trade, there were a lot of skeptics who were questioning what was being done," Suns owner Jerry Colangelo said. "But where we are today in terms of the conference finals and his personal achievements this year speak for themselves."
During the previous nine years, the MVP award went to Larry Bird, who won three straight, Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan.
"He's shown a kind of passion for the game that I like to see in the NBA," said coach George Karl of Seattle, the Suns' Western Conference finals opponent.
"Charles came in here and just went on the court and . . . put a team on his back in a lot of stretches."
Barkley averaged 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and a career-high 5.1 assists.
Suns teammate Cedric Ceballos said he learned from Barkley never to make excuses.
"If you want to point some blame, you blame it on yourself, and that got me tougher," Ceballos said.
Suns guard Danny Ainge, who was Bird's teammate in Boston, said Barkley could reach the same heights if Phoenix wins the NBA title.
"I think he has to carry a team to that level, and then I think he'll be considered the same quality player," Ainge said.
Barkley, speaking at a news conference, said the MVP award was an honor but would not mean as much as a championship.
Barkley, who said after Phoenix traded for him in June that he would play only three more years, also said he might retire if the Suns win the title this year.
"I think it would be ideal to leave while you're on top," Barkley said. "You've got Dream Team, you've got best regular season, you've got MVP, and, if we're fortunate enough to win the world championship, I don't see anything left to accomplish."
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB