Charles Barkley, the outspoken basketball legend and analyst, shared his thoughts on various topics in the latest episode of “The Bill Simmons” podcast. He discussed NFL, boxing, and of course, modern basketball.
When the conversation turned to the NBA, he talked about which players were truly destined to become all-time greats in the current game. He expressed his admiration for two international stars who won championships without drama: Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
“With all the BS that goes on in the NBA, what the Nuggets and the Joker accomplished just made me feel good, man. No super teams, no drama. Joker and Giannis, they make me feel good about my sport,” Barkley said about both players, after they won the 2021 and 2023 championships.
The Nuggets waited for over 55 years to earn their first NBA title, and their leader, Jokic, celebrated the victory with his teammates, but was always humble and respectful. The Bucks also took a similar path to the top. When Giannis won his only championship trophy, he gave one of the most humble speeches in NBA history, crying tears of gratitude after he received the MVP award.
Barkley also shared his view on how Stephen Curry, who recently claimed to be the best point guard in history, would perform in the “Bad Boys” era, when Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons dominated the NBA with their physical play.
“As much as I love Steph Curry, and I love Steph Curry, can you imagine if the bad boys would beat the hell out of him?” Barkley asked, referring to how rough the game was.
“If you think that he could take those blows that John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer. Those body checks that they were putting on Michael [Jordan], and Scottie [Pippen], and myself and guys like that you really think Steph Curry wouldn’t break?” he said.
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