Charles Barkley was one of the most popular players in the NBA during his time in the league. Because of his incredible combination of size, speed, strength, and skill, Barkley rose among the NBA ranks to become one of the best players in the league. With a player as popular as Barkley, there was an opportunity to sell a lot of merchandise. And one unique commercial was made to help sell his shoes in Japan.
In 1992, Nike made a commercial with Charles Barkley, who was moving through the streets of Tokyo, as he went on to face the monster ‘Godzilla’. In the commercial, Barkley physically overpowers Godzilla to get to the basket while sending the monster crashing through a building. The commercial ends with Barkley and Godzilla walking side by side, and Chuck telling him that the Lakers are looking for a big man.
The commercial was originally intended just for Japan, but upon seeing its success, Nike used it in the United States as well. This was far from the only time Barkley did promotional work for Japan, as he played a bizarre 3 vs. 3 game in Japan against Sumo wrestlers which was refereed by Michael Jordan. Jordan and Barkley also combined for a hilarious Nike commercial in 1994, while MJ was retired.
But without a doubt, Barkley’s most famous Nike commercial was his ‘I am not a role model’ campaign, where he consistently maintained that he should not be considered a role model. Barkley has spoken about that campaign, questioning how he got in trouble for telling young children to listen to their parents.
Barkley has always stated that he is not to be considered a role model and that people should focus on their own lives and their families instead. Perhaps he also meant that people should try to play basketball against monsters as he did in the commercial.
