Charles Barkley says Westbrook not the story for Thunder-Mavs
TNT’s Charles Barkley joined the show to talk about both conference finals and more. Here are some of his takes.
— Barkley has an issue with the aftermath of Thunder-Mavericks Game 2. “Oklahoma City won the game. That should be the story,” Barkley said. “Everyone is talking about Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma City took back homecourt advantage. That should be the story.”
Barkley said that Westbrook isn’t the same kind of player as Derrick Rose. He’s more of a jump shooter. “He’s really a two-guard playing the one,” Barkley said.
Barkley said Westbrook needs to be mature here. “He’s interesting because he takes criticism personally,” Barkley said. Barkley said that Westbrook needs to find a balance between passing and being aggressive as a scorer.
— Barkley said Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki’s points in Game 1 cancelled themselves out. “The reason Dallas won the first game was because of J.J. Barea and Jason Terry,” Barkley said. Barkley wasn’t surprised Nowitzki’s numbers went down in Game 2.
— Barkley said that the Thunder’s James Harden was the key to Game 2. “Whoever’s bench plays the best is going to win each game,” Barkley said.
— Barkley commented on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar complaining about not getting a statue. “I don’t think he should have went public like that. Even if they get him a statue now, it’s going to be like they were forced to give him a statue.”
— Dan asked Barkley who was a better power forward — him or Dirk Nowitzki. “That’s easy Dan, it’s me,” Barkley said. “Dirk is a better jump-shooter. He’s not a better passer. He’s not a better rebounder.”
Barkley said that Tim Duncan is the best power forward ever. And Kevin McHale is the best he played against.
He also put Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett over Nowitzki.