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Charles Barkley got fat during his final NBA season out of spite

Back in 1984, Charles Barkley (as he's fond of saying) gained 20 pounds in 48 hours to avoid being drafted by the Sixers, who were only paying $75,000 for a one-year deal.

Obviously, the plan backfired, and the so-called “Round Mound of Rebound” was able to manage his weight though out his NBA career, thanks in no small part to the early tutelage of teammate Moses Malone.

But during his final season of the league as a member of the Houston Rockets, Barkey gained much of his former weight back, and now we know why.

In a bonus segment of his interview with Bill Simmons on HBO’s “Any Given Wednesday” released on HBO Go, Barkley admits he put on the pounds intentionally during his final NBA season with the Houston Rockets over a dispute involving his salary.