"If I weren't earning $3 million a year to dunk a basketball, most people on the street would run in the other direction if they saw me coming"

In this quote, Charles Barkley is revealing his belief that his high wage as an expert basketball player is the main reason that individuals are friendly towards him. He recommends that if he did not have this fame and fortune, the majority of people would not wish to connect with him. This could be analyzed as a commentary on society's fascination with wealth and success, and how it can affect people's perceptions and interactions with others. Barkley's declaration likewise highlights the power characteristics at play on the planet of professional sports, where professional athletes are frequently put on a pedestal and treated differently since of their monetary status.