NBA link between Barkley and Magic

[sox83cubs84]

Just a little story to share with the novice hoops collectors on the site.

Charles Barkley wore #34 for his entire stint with the 76ers...EXCEPT for the 1991-92 season.

On the heels of Magic Johnson's sudden HIV-related retirement, Barkley sought to give tribute to the Lakers legend the season after Johnson's first exit from the NBA (he came back briefly in 1995-96 for 32 games).
Barkley wanted to wear Magic's #32 for the '91-'92 campaign. One hurdle had to be cleared: Sixers great Billy Cunningham, who was a Philly executive, had the number retired for him years earlier. After Barkley explained his plan to Cunningham, Billy C. agreed to unretire #32 for one season to allow Barkley to pay his tribute to Johnson.

This was at a time when Champion made the 76ers uniforms. It was the shooting stars front with the home jersey being white and the road style being red (no alternates).

Dave Miedema

[otismalibu]

Sixers great Billy Cunningham, who was a Philly executive, had the number retired for him years earlier.

And why JWEII couldn't keep his Nets number.

It was the shooting stars front with the home jersey being white and the road style being red (no alternates).

Quite possibly the ugliest NBA uniform I've seen, from that era. Anyone know the story behind that hideous jersey? I once heard that someone from the Katz family came up with that gem. Almost as unsettling as Jeff Ruland for Moses Malone.