"The Warriors And The Lakers Both Stink, Neither One Of Those Teams Are Any Good" - Charles Barkley Spoke Nothing But The Truth While Burying The Lakers And Warriors
Given that we are currently living in a bit of a changing of the guard in the NBA, I think it's time we start accepting the fact that the legends of old and their teams aren't quite what they used to be. We as fans sometimes become stubborn in how we view certain teams, unwilling to accept the new reality in which we all live in. You try and hold onto the tiniest bit of hope and can't quite come to terms with things being over.
A perfect example is how both the Lakers and the Warriors are talked about. Given the fact that their best player is generational, it's almost as if some out there are willing to ignore everything else that happens on the court simply because of LeBron and Steph exist. Sadly, that's not really how the NBA works anymore in 2024. You need more than just one or even two blue chip players to contend at a high level, something that wasn't exactly true of previous eras.
You know who understands this? Charles Barkley. While some media personalities rely on rage baiting and spewing off scorching hot takes you know they don't believe in so they can go viral, what I always loved about Chuck is you knew he truly believed in everything he says. It may not always be right, but it was never a schtick. He doesn't say shit just for shock value or to go viral, and he certainly isn't one to hold back.
Take his stance on the Lakers and Warriors for example
If you took the team names out and gave someone their blind resumes, here's what you would see
Team A: 6 seed and 10 seed over the last 2 seasons never winning at least 50 games, 9th ranked offense/15th ranked defense in 2024 and missed the playoffs
Team B: 7 and 8 seeds over the last two years never winning at least 48 games, 15th ranked offense/17th ranked defense in 2024 and lost in the first round
Pretty much everyone would universally agree that those teams stink. It might sound harsh, but that's just the reality. But because one is the Warriors and the other is the Lakers, you have networks like ESPN that still like to pretend both teams still run the West or something. There is no doubt that was once true, but in 2024? Given how both rosters have been constructed around Steph & LeBron at this stage? I think anyone who has watched these last few years would agree both teams are closer to the Play-In than an NBA title.
Would we ever consider a team that finished 13th in net rating and the other a team that finished 19th in net rating as contenders? No. You'd say those teams stink. That doesn't mean Steph and LeBron still aren't incredible talents that absolutely have more left in the tank, but that's not the problem. The problem is the collection of talent of their rosters compared to the rest of the West that is only getting better and better.
So again, where is Chuck wrong? Where's the lie? I suppose it's possible that both GS and LAL have surprise seasons, but to me, that would take some injuries in the West sort of like what happened with the Grizzlies last year for either team to get back into the top 6 let alone make deep playoff runs. Aside from the Blazers, who exactly is an easy matchup in the West? Even the Spurs are going to make your life hell with Wemby, so it's not quite the same as the East that has a handful of teams at the bottom of the conference you'll be able to stack wins against.
This clip also makes me annoyed that TNT and the NBA fucked around and killed Inside The NBA. We need Chuck on TV keeping it real like this and not just the same old outdated narratives that run ESPN. We get it, both play in huge markets, but we all also have eyes. The basketball product has stunk for each team these last two years. That is a fact. It's just refreshing that Chuck is brave enough to be willing to say it.
P.S.
Do I mostly agree with Chuck because Steph and the Warriors ripped a title away from the Celts and it's always fuck the Lakers? Sure, but that doesn't make him wrong