Charles Barkley is on the Celtics’ bandwagon.
It took him long enough.
Following the Nets’ 115-108 win over the Cavaliers Tuesday in the Play-In Tournament, Charles Barkley made a declaration about Brooklyn’s upcoming playoff series with the Celtics: they have no chance.
“There’s no way they can beat the Celtics,” Barkley said. “They got two great players. They both actually played as good as they probably can play [on Tuesday]. Kevin Durant was fabulous with his passing and his defense. Kyrie was great. But other than that, I know they can’t beat the Celtics now.”
Though Durant and Kyrie Irving were excellent Tuesday — they combined for 59 points, and Irving was perfect in the first half — the Nets struggled to hold off the mediocre Cavaliers. Brooklyn has struggled defensively all season long, and that could continue in the playoffs, especially if the newly acquired Ben Simmons doesn’t join the team.
It may be tough to pick against Durant and Irving, but they need help around them.
“All these fools on these other morning talk shows can let this ship sail,” Barkley said. “Both of those guys played great — great — and they barely beat a mediocre Cavs team.”
Barkley’s newfound high opinion of the Celtics is the latest sign that they’re entering the NBA playoffs as a legitimate championship contender. Previously, Barkley seldom gave the Celtics any credit. He was hating on them as recently as early March.
Last spring, Barkley predicted the Celtics would “pack it in” against the Nets once they fell behind 2-0. It looks like this year will be a different story.
The Celtics and Nets begin their series Sunday.