Today in Performance Sneaker History: Charles Barkley Reaches Milestone in the Nike Air CB4

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Complex Original

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In March of 1999, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley made history by becoming just the third player to reach 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists. This achievement put him into a group with legends Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In his 15th NBA season at the time, Charles Barkley reached many other memorable milestones along the way.

Before his assists tally hit 4,000, Charles Barkley had already accumulated 20k points and 10k rebounds. During the 1996-97 NBA season, Barkley had just kicked off his first season with the Houston Rockets after an unforgettable run in Phoenix. On November 4, 1996, the Rockets traveled to EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz. Houston squeaked by with a 75-72 win, and Barkley's performance in the game proved to be a key factor. Charles Barkley had just 9 points on 2-8 shooting, but managed to grab 20 rebounds and also picked up 4 assists and 4 steals. Those 4 steals officially put Barkley at the 3,500 mark, and he became the fourth player in history to have 20k points, 10k rebounds, and 3,500 assists along with Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor.

Charles Barkley was a truly elite player, and is considered to be one of the greatest to never win an NBA championship. Known for his aggressive playing style and charismatic personality, Barkley has managed to stay relevant in the world of basketball well beyond his retirement. His sneaker line with Nike remains one of the most popular signature collections ever, and the brand continued to honor the legend with new models. During the early '96-97 season, Barkley wore the Nike Air CB4, which was re-branded from CB34 after a number change. Built noticeably lower than many Barkley styles and equipped with Air Max cushioning, this is one of the few Barkley models Nike has yet to retro.

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