Charles Barkley HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 01: Former NBA player and TNT commentator Charles Barkley is interviewed during a practice session for the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four at NRG Stadium on April 1, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Charles Barkley had quite the NBA career and has had quite the career since his playing days. Barkley is known for being outspoken, having a bad golf swing, and (on Inside the NBA) for his weight.

Barkley told Bill Simmons, on some clips that didn’t make the Any Given Wednesday premiere, that the only reason he was fat his last year in Houston was because he took a paycut. Via Sporting News:

“The only year that I was fat was my last year in Houston, because they had promised me $12 million. When I showed up, the contract was only for $8 million. And I said, ‘What happened to my other $4 million?’ They said, ‘Well, we just decided to keep it.’ …

“I was so [ticked off]. What had happened was I took a paycut so we could sign Scottie Pippen,” Barkley said. “So they said, ‘We need you to take a paycut so we can sign Scottie.’ I said, ‘OK, I would love to play with Scottie.’ They said, ‘We’ll give you $12 million next year.’ So when I showed up the next year, they bring me a contract. I said, ‘This looks like an 8.’ They said, ‘Yeah, we’re going to give you $8 million.’ I said, ‘What about the other $4 million?’ They’re like, ‘Well, we just changed our mind.’ So I wasn’t motivated.”

Barkley played in just 20 games that season and saw the least amount of minutes (31) since his rookie year in the league, along with his second lowest average in terms of points per game (14.5) and assists per game (3.2).

To be fair, Barkley played so little because he ruptured his left quadriceps in December of that season. After missing four months with that injury, he played one game in April 2000 to end his career, scoring two points in six minutes.

You typically hear about athletes letting themselves go after getting a big payday, but apparently the opposite effect is true, too.

[FTW/Sporting News]

About Harry Lyles Jr.

Harry Lyles Jr. is an Atlanta-based writer, and a Georgia State University graduate.