Anyone who has followed the NBA for a long time is accustomed to hearing Charles Barkley, a basketball analyst turned Hall of Fame player, talk about his mind every time a microphone is put in his face.
On Wednesday, during an appearance on the Waddle and Silvy show on ESPN Chicago, Barkley had some interesting ideas about the Bulls and their offseason:
I will be totally shocked if they don’t make it to the playoffs. And I’m not just saying that … I think it’s fair to say that the Chicago Bulls have had the best low season in the NBA.
Maybe Barkley is trying to jump into Michael Jordan’s inner circle? While this is certainly questionable, these Barkley’s comments are not surprising Absolutely not. Sir Charles has been as transparent as anyone can be in his feelings about super teams over the years: he doesn’t support them; he thinks they are bad for the game. Although Barkley once formed a superteam towards the end of his career. (Don’t tell me you forgot Dream / slide / round mountain team ?!)
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Yes, the Bulls have advanced to become a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. But if there is something that is not, it would be a super team. Of course, no one but Barkley can talk about the former rebounding champion, but it seems like that’s an important factor for him with this Bulls team. The fact that Chicago has not included two players in the top ten to team up with Zach LaVine … I think so Because Barkley likes what the Bulls did during the offseason.
Trade for Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan are good solid moves. Alongside LaVine, these are moves that should make the Bulls fun to watch and that, at the very least, should place them in search of a playing spot. The Bulls were on the same court last season until LaVine suffered an injury during the stretch and the team proceeded to implode.
Another NBA team could raise an argument about Barkley’s point about the Bulls. The Los Angeles Lakers also participated in a major makeover of their roster in the offseason.
He The Lakers almost broke the Internet when Russell Westbrook changed was announced. The Lakers came out and signed Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Carmelo Anthony, Kent Bazemore, Kendrick Nunn, Wayne Ellington and Malik Monk on free agency. This may be a little too close to forming another super team (although it’s true that a few years ago it’s too late for the actual designation) for Barkley’s liking. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are now partnering with Westbrook, Anthony and Howard. Lots of name recognitions for sure.
Whether you believe them or not the moves make the Lakers a super team or not, it would be enough to make them favorites in the west, as long as Lebron and AD can stay on the track in the postseason.
He The Miami Heat may also have something to say on the coronation by Barkley of the Bulls as low season champions. The Heat replaced Goran Dragic for Kyle Lowry. While not the same as signing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lowry is an improvement on the guard position. In addition, Lowry should adapt to this team alongside Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and the staff. The Heat too fought PJ Tucker away from the Milwaukee Bucks. Tucker is another tough player who should make a perfect transition to Miami. If the Heat can somehow figure out how to keep Victor Oladipo on the court and less time on the injured list, this team could be a serious contender to the east.
All of these teams have had good seasons in making major acquisitions, but now they have to prove it on the court. And for the Bulls, they will have to make Barkley look good in their analysis of their offseason.