Golden State’s long-time critic was at it again ahead of Game 5
FILE: TNT’s Charles Barkley thinks the Kings are going to blow out the Warriors in Game 5.
Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesYou’d be hard-pressed to find a more vocal hater of the Warriors during their NBA title run last season than Charles Barkley.
The NBA great and TNT talking head thought the Memphis Grizzlies’ size would be an issue for Golden State, which out-rebounded Memphis en route to a 4-2 win. He trolled Warriors fans during the Western Conference Finals, yelling “Let’s go Mavs!” at a crowd of them before picking Dallas to win the series (the Dubs easily dispatched the Mavs in just five games). And he even took a shot at the city: “I don’t dislike the area,” he said of San Francisco. “I hate the area.”
Warriors fans outside of Chase Center in turn threw things at Barkley — who appeared ready to fight fans — and chanted, “Chuck, you suck.”
This year it’s been more of the same from the Round Mound of Rebound. He called Klay Thompson washed back in October, just before Thompson turned it around. He guaranteeed a Kings series win against the defending champs before it was even a certainty they’d be playing one another in the first round.
On Wednesday during the pre-game, Barkley stepped out on yet another dangerous Warriors ledge: “The Kings are gonna whoop their ass tonight,” Barkley said. “Guarantee it! Guarantee it! And it ain’t gonna be close. Not gonna be close.”
Shaquille O’Neal then asked Barkley to say it with his chest.
“The Kings are gonna blow the Warriors out tonight. GUARANTEED!” Barkley yelled.
After two close wins at home for the Kings, the Warriors stormed back in San Francisco to tie the series at 2-2. Adding extra intrigue to tonight’s Game 5, De’Aaron Fox was initially listed as doubtful with a fractured finger in his shooting hand, but is now “available” and expected to try to play through it. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on TNT.
