Barkley decides against Phoenix appearance

PHOENIX (AP) -- No gifts, no ceremony, just a bit part in a skit with The Gorilla. <br><br>Charles Barkley had a subdued farewell on a court where he was once the unquestioned star of an NBA title contender.

Wednesday, April 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PHOENIX (AP) -- No gifts, no ceremony, just a bit part in a skit with The Gorilla.

Charles Barkley had a subdued farewell on a court where he was once the unquestioned star of an NBA title contender. Did he expect more from the Suns, with whom he had a bitter split that caused ?

"Not at all," he said. "Nothing they do surprises me."

Barkley had considered making a cameo appearance for Houston in Tuesday night's game against the Suns. But coach Rudy Tomjanovich nixed the idea because Barkley's injured knee is only about 70 percent healed, and it would be too risky to have him try to play on consecutive nights, even for a minute or two.

"Charles doesn't have to prove anything," Tomjanovich said. "The guy's one of the greatest players to ever play the game. We love what he's done for us. "To me what makes sense is to have one final tribute at home. Why take the chance of getting him loose here and then having a back-to-back situation? That just doesn't make sense to me."

Barkley didn't walk into America West Arena until the lights were out for the introduction of the Suns.

"I don't want to take away from the game," Barkley said. "I've been in the limelight really for 19, 20 years now. I wasn't playing tonight. It wasn't about me. That's why I waited until the lights went out."

Finally, between the third and fourth quarters, Barkley was introduced to the crowd, which responded with a huge ovation. He tossed a toy basketball to the Suns' mascot, The Gorilla, who performed one of his trademark dunks from a trampoline. Barkley signed the ball and waved to the crowd again.

That was it, not much considering it was as a member of the Suns, in 1993, that Barkley came closest to winning an NBA title, leading the team to the finals, where it lost in six games to Chicago on a heartbreaking 3-pointer by John Paxson.

But the trouble that followed, and the ill feelings between Barkley and Suns owner Jerry Colangelo have not been repaired by time. Colangelo didn't like Barkley's attitude or off-court behavior.

Barkley maneuvered his way to Houston, but now says he wanted to end his career in Phoenix, where he still has a home. Colangelo wasn't about to get into a debate over who orchestrated Barkley's departure.

"No comment," he said before the game.

But later, Barkley didn't hesitate to fire a parting shot.

"I think the fans have always been terrific here," he said, "but I don't ever think the Suns organization appreciated what I brought to the table."

Barkley called an end to his 16-year career after he ruptured a knee tendon Dec. 8 in Philadelphia.

But, after rehabilitation, he will make that one last appearance in a game tonight, when Houston is at home for Vancouver. He wants to end his career by walking off the court, not being carried off.

A minute or two on the court in Phoenix would have been fitting. It would mean his last three games were played in Philadelphia, Phoenix and Houston, the three teams for which he played.

But it wasn't to be.

As Barkley stood talking with reporters after the game, Tomjanovich walked by.

"Get there safe tomorrow," the coach said.

Sir Charles just smiled that big, familiar smile.