NO ESPN: Netflix Releases Stunning New Documentary on Auburn Legend Charles Barkley, Offers Unfiltered Look at Basketball Icon’s Life and Legac
Netflix has done it again—this time with an unflinching and deeply personal portrayal of one of the most colorful and controversial figures in basketball history. In a documentary simply titled “Sir Charles: The Barkley Way”, Netflix invites viewers on a 90-minute journey through the life and legacy of Charles Barkley, the outspoken former Auburn Tigers superstar who went on to become an NBA Hall of Famer and beloved sports analyst.
Released globally this week, the documentary strips away the on-camera bravado to reveal a complex man who rose from humble beginnings in Leeds, Alabama, to the bright lights of the NBA and beyond. Through exclusive interviews, archival footage, and never-before-seen home videos, Netflix crafts a compelling narrative that transcends basketball—touching on race, fame, identity, and the cost of authenticity in a world that often demands conformity.
The documentary begins where Barkley’s story truly takes off—at Auburn University. Barkley enrolled at Auburn in 1981 and immediately left an indelible mark on the program. Standing at just 6-foot-6 but weighing nearly 300 pounds during his college days, Barkley defied expectations with his explosive athleticism, uncanny rebounding instincts, and unparalleled charisma.
Netflix smartly dedicates significant screen time to his collegiate years, emphasizing how Barkley revolutionized the power forward position. He wasn’t just a big man who dominated the paint—he could run the floor like a guard, handle the ball with finesse, and electrify crowds with thunderous dunks. Highlights from his Auburn days are presented in stunning clarity, interspersed with commentary from teammates, coaches, and even rivals.
One particularly touching segment features Sonny Smith, Barkley’s head coach at Auburn, who emotionally recalls the moment he knew Charles was special.
“He didn’t just play the game. He transformed it,” Smith says in the film. “And he made Auburn basketball relevant on a national level.”
Barkley would go on to earn SEC Player of the Year honors in 1984, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever wear the orange and blue.
After declaring for the NBA Draft in 1984, Barkley was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, joining a league already loaded with legends like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. The Netflix film charts his rapid rise through the NBA ranks, including his All-Star selections, MVP-caliber seasons, and ultimately, his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
But the documentary doesn’t shy away from controversy. Barkley’s outspoken nature—his refusal to be a role model, his run-ins with fans, and his famous altercation in a bar that ended with him throwing a man through a glass window—are explored in full.
“I never wanted to be anyone’s hero,” Barkley says in one of the film’s more introspective moments. “I just wanted to be real. That got me into trouble sometimes. But at least it was my truth.”
What truly sets “Sir Charles: The Barkley Way” apart is its exploration of Barkley’s evolution off the court. The documentary details his transition to broadcasting with TNT’s Inside the NBA, where he has become a fixture of American sports media—equal parts jester, critic, and philosopher.
“He’s the only guy who can make you laugh and cry in the same segment,” notes fellow analyst Kenny Smith. “He says things you’re not supposed to say—but things that need to be heard.”
The film delves into Barkley’s takes on race in America, political correctness, and his ongoing efforts to give back to his community. His philanthropy, especially his millions in donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), receives long-overdue attention.
Netflix also includes moving interviews with Barkley’s family, including his mother, Charcey Glenn, whose stern but loving parenting helped mold him into the man he is today.
Director Ava DuVernay, known for powerful works like When They See Us and Selma, brings a layered sensitivity to the documentary. In a recent interview, she described Barkley as “a man of deep contradictions, constantly torn between wanting to belong and wanting to rebel.”
Indeed, the film shines when it leans into those contradictions. Barkley is a millionaire who remains obsessed with his small-town roots. A fierce critic of politicians who refuses to run for office, despite persistent rumors. A man who decries political correctness, yet speaks often and emotionally about empathy and justice.
“I don’t think Charles is trying to be controversial,” DuVernay says. “He’s trying to be honest. And in today’s media landscape, that makes him a unicorn.”
One of the most powerful segments of the documentary takes place during Barkley’s return visit to Auburn’s campus in 2024. In a heartfelt on-camera interview while sitting at midcourt in Neville Arena, Barkley opens up about what the university means to him.
“Auburn gave me more than a jersey. It gave me direction. It gave me a reason to believe in myself.”
The film captures Barkley talking to current student-athletes, reflecting on the value of education, discipline, and embracing failure. These scenes stand as a poignant reminder of his deep connection to the school and why he remains one of its most beloved alumni.
Since its release, “Sir Charles: The Barkley Way” has drawn acclaim from critics and fans alike. ESPN may not have touched the story, but sportswriters from The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, and Bleacher Report have lauded the film for its unfiltered approach.
On social media, the hashtag #SirCharlesNetflix began trending within hours of release. NBA players, celebrities, and even political commentators weighed in with praise.
LeBron James tweeted: “The Chuck doc is . That man’s voice matters. Salute to a real one.”
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl shared a photo with Barkley on Instagram, captioned: “The best to ever do it. Thank you for showing our guys what greatness looks like—on and off the court.”
With this documentary, Netflix doesn’t just chronicle Charles Barkley’s life—they enshrine it. The platform has long been known for its award-winning sports documentaries (The Last Dance, Untold, Quarterback), but “Sir Charles: The Barkley Way” may be its most intimate yet.
This isn’t just a documentary for basketball fans—it’s for anyone who has ever struggled to stay true to themselves in the face of pressure. Anyone who has felt out of place, only to find a way to turn that discomfort into power.
Charles Barkley, the man who once declared “I’m not a role model,” may have inadvertently become just that—through honesty, vulnerability, and a refusal to be anything other than who he is.
For Auburn faithful, the film is a celebration of a hometown hero who never forgot where he came from. For the basketball community, it’s an overdue tribute to a player who changed the game. And for America, it’s a mirror held up to a culture still wrestling with the same issues Barkley has spent decades calling out.
“Sir Charles: The Barkley Way” is now streaming on Netflix. Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is certain: You can’t ignore Charles Barkley. And after this film, you won’t want to.