'I took all my clothes off because I had these three guys who were trying to beat me up' - Charles Barkley shares crazy story that got him arrested in the prime of his NBA career

In October 1997, during his tenure with the Houston Rockets, the 11-time All-Star found himself in trouble outside a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. He hurled a bar server through a plate-glass window. But that wasn't the only crazy moment with altercations for the "Round Mound of Rebound."

Reflecting on a moment years later, the former Sixers star humorously recalled when he got into trouble in a desperate quest to defend himself.

"That was the night I got arrested trying to do my Karate Kid impression," he said. "I took all my clothes off because I had these three guys who were trying to beat me up. I want them to think I was crazy… I thought they were going to think I was crazy and leave me alone… But this one guy kept standing right in front of me, and two guys backed up, and there's one fool standing right there, and I hit his [expletive] as hard as I could; I broke his nose."

Forgotten memories

While the offbeat recounting of the night provided comic relief, the incident highlighted the scrutiny that comes with fame. For the Hall of Famer, it was another chapter in a career marked by extremes—both the incredible and the absurd. Yet, it's also a testament to Chuckster's willingness to own his actions, even if they veered into the ridiculous.

Decades later, the former MVP remains one of the most beloved figures in sports media. His outspokenness, once a source of controversy, has become his trademark as an analyst on TNT's Inside the NBA.

Still, the story of that wild night remains a standout moment in Barkley's colorful career, reminding fans that the Hall of Famer, for all his success, has always been uniquely himself.