Barkley says Spurs can't beat Thunder, Lakers
The San Antonio Spurs beat the defending Western Conference Champions Oklahoma City Thunder last night in thrilling fashion with a last-
second shot made by Tony Parker.
And though it is very early in the season, the Spurs seem to be clicking on all cylinders after two games and they could be the last team standing come June. However, TNT's Charles Barkley disagrees.
"The Chuckster" spoke on the Spurs last night on TNT and though he did praise the team, he still feels they do not have enough to topple the Thunder or the Los Angeles Lakers.
“They have the best coach (Gregg Popovich) in the NBA. Tony Parker is terrific. They are going to win a lot of games because of ‘Pop’ and they play very smart. They can’t beat Oklahoma City in a seven-game series and, depending on the Lakers’ health, I don’t think they can beat the Lakers.”
When it comes to OKC, the team just had a major shake up by trading James Harden. He was an integral part of the team and not to mention meshed well with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Now the team must develop chemistry with their new pieces and hope Kevin Martin can provide that punch off the bench as Harden did.
The good thing it that the trade for OKC happened early in the season so they will have plenty of time to adjust. Keep in mind, Manu Ginobili did not play versus OKC in their first meeting so last night's game may not have been as close if No. 20 was playing for San Antonio.
As for the Lakers, they haven't started off on the right foot going 0-2 early on. With huge, new pieces with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, it will take some time for LA to get thing rolling. Also, if Mike Brown doesn't deliver, he might be on the hot seat and if LA decides to let him go, that could be a distraction. However, should the pieces fall into place and LA remains healthy (Kobe's knee issues and Howard's back) then with LA's size (Howard and Pau Gasol) perhaps Barkley may be spot on about the Spurs chances against the Lakers.
What do you have to say Spurs fans? Do you agree with Chuck on the Spurs' chances against OKC and LA?
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Fact is, it was just the second game of the season. Yes, it felt great being there and getting that win in that way and yes, no Manu last night, but it was OKC's first game of the season with new pieces and not having any games played together and we beat them by 2 with a shot at the buzzer.
The good news is the Spurs should be better by the time playoffs come around, but so will OKC. The truth of the matter is it is up to the Spurs to prove they can beat OKC in a 7 game series by actually doing it, until then, the belief will be: "yeah, they can do it in regular season, but not in the playoffs" (just like they did last season).
As for the Lakers, it's nice to look like a super team on paper, but they have to prove they can get it together and stay health into the playoffs. My jury is still out on them at this point, they won't be an easy out, but I don't see them as unbeatable yet either.
Spurs just need to prove they can beat them, let people talk all they want until then. I personally wouldn't have called Thunder beating Spurs last season...and stood dumbfounded when OKC beat SAS 4 games straight to knock them out. So, until Spurs prove it, the belief will stand.
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The Spurs won the game last night WITHOUT GINOBILI. And with Harden gone, I like the Spurs' chances against the Thunder. As for the Lakers, if they keep using that Princeton offense, I like the Spurs' chances against them too.
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nope. i agree with Kenny, Shaq, and C-Webb from last night saying the Spurs can beat them. why not have their opinions on this article, too, instead of just having Sir Charles' opinion?
