RealGM

Karl is drafted by the Sixers in 84, Barkley by the Jazz in 85. How do their careers go? permutations if you want for Malone switching to phoenix/houston

That isn’t at Birth. Switch them at Birth and their is a chance that neirger of them makes the NBA. You need the right parents and neighborhood for the right baby and then you have to get lucky.

Switch them at birth and a 14 year old girl doesn’t….

So apparently I need to actually say the birth of their NBA career, because people think I want to know who'll be potty trained first.

Assuming they have the same teams (Malone wouldn't demand a trade from Philly), Malone wins at least 5 rings.

93? Malone + KJ + Majerle, all in their prime? Malone was a better system player, and Barkley was the better offensive hub. Since KJ needed theball, Malone would fit better.

94, with no MJ? Easy title. Suns had nobody who could guard Hakeem. Enter Malone.

95, same as 94.

96, KJ injured. Bulls take it.

97? MVP Malone, still very legit Hakeem+Drexler? That's a crazy good team. I don't see the Bulls stopping them - Rodman can't guard Hakeem or Malone.

98? Near mvp malone, but this will be harder because Hakeem is starting to fall off. I still think they can take the championship, though. Hakeem/Malone is just too good. Not a lock, but I'd take the Rockets.

99? Resurging Hakeem, add Pippen? I think the Rockets are the favorite. Pippen and Malone were best friends, so no chemistry issues like Barkley had. Duncan+Robinson were good, about the same level as Malone/Hakeem (Malone's range just makes the offensive fit better, despite Robinson being better than Hakeem at this stage). Pippen tips the scales for the Rockets.

So, between 5-6 rings for Malone imo. 0 for Barkley, because Malone is winning them all.