The night of October 28th marked an extraordinary occasion for Charles Barkley. Him and 14 distinguished individuals were inducted into the Phoenix Suns‘ Ring of Honor. For Sir Charles, who had an illustrious tenure with the Suns, this was a significant moment. However, there was something amiss. Though Barkley was at the center of the celebrations, the 1993 NBA MVP deeply missed the presence of a certain Suns legend.  

The Phoenix Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Walter Davis, passed away on November 2 at the age of 69. His absence during the Ring of Honor event concerned Barkley. And he was deeply impacted when he heard of Davis’ passing a few days after the ceremony. 

Charles Barkley shares heartfelt words in memory of Walter Davis

Walter Davis was a North Carolina Tar Heels legend and a 5-time NBA All-Star. The Suns drafted Davis with the 5th pick in the 1977 NBA Draft and by 1991, he retired with 15,666 points for the franchise. Not just that, Davis retired as the 18th highest scorer in NBA history.

For his incredible contributions to Phoenix basketball, the Suns retired his #6 jersey and inducted the former Rookie of the Year into the Ring of Honor in 1994. Unfortunately, 29 years later, Barkley would sorely miss Walter Davis’ absence at his induction ceremony.

On ‘The Dave Pasch Podcast’, Sir Charles said, “Man, we lost one of the great Suns players last week. But really one of the great gentlemen, Walter Davis. When I saw that, it really broke my heart because I was wondering why Walter wasn’t there. And I was like- Then I saw the news that he had passed away.” 

Charles Barkley proceeded to admit that “Walter Davis was one of the nicest men I ever met.”

For the halftime ceremony in the  Suns’ home-opening victory over the Utah Jazz at Footprint Center, over 60 former players graced the occasion. Barkley and Steve Nash took the stage to share heartfelt words. These revered stars were bestowed with special watches and had the privilege of witnessing their names enshrined in the annals of the franchise’s history.

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This event marked a significant milestone for the Suns. As such, the absence of their all-time leading scorer was surely felt. Apart from Phoenix fans, Walter Davis, popularly known as Sweet D, even earned admiration from Barkley’s former friend Michael Jordan. 

Walter Davis earned the respect of Michael Jordan

Sweet D‘s style was always fueled by an unwavering passion for the game. During his four seasons with North Carolina, Walter Davis averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over 119 games, showcasing his dedication. It was the same dedication that endeared a young Jordan. His captivating style of play, skills, and dominance made him the 6x champion’s favorite player in the league.

Following the 1984 NBA Draft, then 21-year-old  Michael Jordan was asked about the most challenging opponent he had come across in summer camp. To which, he replied, “It’s got to be Walter Davis. I had the opportunity to compete against Walter Davis during the summer, and he’s truly an exceptional basketball talent.“

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As per reports, MJ always wished to play alongside Davis in Chicago. While that dream didn’t materialize, he still held his favorite player in high regard. The legend may have departed from this world, but his legacy lives eternally in our hearts.