Charles Barkley pulled no punches during Sixers’ wild 1990 division clincher
BOB GALBRAITH / Associated Press 1 of 3 Charles Barkley during his 76ers days. By BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES | PUBLISHED: May 25, 2020 at 4:10 p.m. | UPDATED: May 26, 2020 at 3:02 p.m. Editor’s note: Looking back at unforgettable moments in 76ers history. The 76ers were on the verge of clinching the Atlantic Division title against the defending NBA champion Pistons and Detroit didn’t like it. Pistons coach Chuck Daly called a pair of timeouts in the final minute of the April 19, 1990, game at The Palace of Auburn Hills despite trailing by double digits. “They didn’t want this kind of celebration on their home floor,” said Sixers center Mike Gminski as the champagne flowed afterward. Something had to give — and did it ever. First, the Pistons’ Isiah Thomas took a swing at former Detroit “Bad Boy” Rick Mahorn, who formed the Sixers’ “Thump and Bump” tandem with Charles Barkley, with about four minutes remaining. Mahorn just laughed as Thomas was ejected. Mahorn drove for the exclamation