"I think you saw tonight, he was like, 'This young boy is kicking my a**'" - Charles Barkley believes father time is catching up with Klay Thompson, mentions Warriors won't win the chip if young players don't step up
Charles Barkley believes age could be catching up with players like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Barkley's comments came after the Phoenix Suns humbled the Golden State Warriors 134-105 on Tuesday night.
Thompson was ejected during the game after recording only two points and two assists, shooting 1-of-8 from the field, including 0-of-5 from 3-point range. Devin Booker did an excellent job on both ends of the floor against Thompson.
Charles Barkley believes Steph Curry and the rest of the young players in the Warriors will have a big role to play this season. He feels they will have to pick up the slack with players like Thompson and Green losing their mojo.
Barkley said on TNT's "Inside the NBA":
"As much as I love Klay, he's slipping. Same thing with Draymond. They're not the same. In the finals, you could see they were not the same guys they were two or three years ago.
"So, when I watch the Warriors play I say, 'Oh man, father time is knocking on the door on a couple of those guys.'
He added:
"They're past 30. You factor in Klay, who's had two major surgeries. I think you saw tonight, he was like, 'This young boy is kicking my a**, ain't nothing I can do about it.'
"There was a time Klay Thompson was the best two-way guard in the NBA, and he's not the same guy anymore because of injuries."
Charles Barkley doesn't believe Thompson is done yet but thinks he is slowing down and is frustrated about it. Barkley also made a bold prediction about the Warriors, saying:
"Steph got a lot more work to do now, them young guys are gonna really have to step up, or this team is not gonna win a championship."
Golden State has battled plenty of adversity in the past. They've done an excellent job maintaining a decent roster, relying on a combination of experience and youth.
However, several teams around the league have transitioned to a younger core in recent times. The Warriors will need their young guns to fire on all cylinders if they are to defend their title.
"There was a time when Klay Thompson was the best two-way guard in the NBA and he's not the same guy."
Chuck thinks father time is catching up to the Warriors. https://t.co/9vFZcGsSOe
Golden State Warriors' defensive struggles sum up Charles Barkley's concerns
The Golden State Warriors have surprisingly struggled on the defensive end of the floor this season.
They have conceded 109, 128, 125 and 135 points across four games and are 22nd in defensive rating. Golden State was among the best teams on the defensive end for long stretches last season.
Their hustle on defense has also been one of their biggest strengths during their four championship wins. However, they were also younger and faster at that point.
The Dubs' big three are all on the wrong side of 30. While Steph Curry has maintained his conditioning over the years, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have struggled to do so due to injuries.
Draymond says the "commitment to defense isn't there" for the Dubs https://t.co/gvgJNw53Oa
Aging legs hamper a team's ability to defend, especially against teams playing at a high pace. This is why Charles Barkley is concerned about "Father Time" catching up with the Warriors and its potential impact on their title chances.
Golden State have made it to the finals in their last six playoff runs. Playing deep into the year hasn't taken much of a toll on them previously, but with age being a factor, it could have an impact this season.