"They're cute" - Charles Barkley makes feelings clear on Warriors
Charles Barkley remains low on the Golden State Warriors' stock as a contender. The NBA legend and TNT analyst doesn't think they have a great ceiling, despite the flashes they've shown amid a 12-7 start to the season. While discussing the Warriors' 19 halftime assists in Tuesday's contest against the Nuggets, Barkley clarified his feelings about the Warriors.
"They're a fun little team to watch. When they're making 3s they're tough to beat," Barkley said. "But I told you I don't believe in the Warriors. But they're cute, they're fun to watch."
When co-host Kenny Smith asked Charles Barkley behind his doubts about the Warriors, the former NBA MVP explained he doesn't feel they have the star depth outside of Steph Curry.
Like the last five seasons, the Warriors don't have a bonafide All-Star other than Steph Curry. They rode off a hot streak from multiple role players early in the season, helping them to a 12-3 run. However, Golden State lost four straight before Tuesday's game, mostly because of its lack of firepower.
Warriors blow the chance to prove Charles Barkley wrong
The Golden State Warriors failed to answer Charles Barkley's criticism after failing to close the Denver Nuggets. Steph Curry and Co. blew the game away despite an advantage entering the clutch. They led 113-106 with 4:03 left, but a lack of execution down the stretch cost them the game as Denver won 119-115. The Warriors scored only two points in that span.
Before that, the Warriors led by 12 with 4:33 left in the first half but blew that lead, too, scoring only three points until the break. The Nuggets tied things up 57-57, keeping Michael Malone's men in the contest.
Despite regaining control, the Warriors couldn't hold on. Steph Curry was the only player with 20+ points. He had 24, but he shot only 8 of 23. The Warriors had no answer to Nikola Jokic, who went off for 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals on 14 of 24 shots. Jokic scored 15 points in the fourth quarter alone on 6 of 7 shooting and was the key architect in the Nuggets' comeback.
With this loss, the Warriors have lost five straight and dropped to 12-8 on the season. After looking like one of the deepest rosters early in the year, the Warriors seem like they need a trade, especially with Curry struggling and no other reliable shot-creator next to him.