Moments before the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors faced off on Thursday night, Hall of Fame forward and respected basketball pundit Charles Barkley made a bold prediction: The Celtics didn’t stand a chance.
Charles Barkley was wrong about the Celtics but, hey, we’ve all been there before
Barkley apologized after saying Boston had no chance at beating Golden State. He’s human, just like the rest of us.
Barkley cited Boston’s schedule, deeming its 13-2 start “a bunch of homecoming games,” and that the Celtics hadn’t beaten the elite teams in the NBA:
“They’re not gonna beat the Golden State Warriors tonight, and they’re not gonna hold the Golden State Warriors to 94 points,” Chuck said. “I promise you that.”
Even at halftime, Boston down just 47-42, Barkley doubled down:
“I’m sitting here watching, and I’ve watched them play maybe five times. They would not be favored in the Eastern Conference,” Barkley said. “I’m not even talking about Cleveland. I’m not sure they can beat Toronto or Washington. I’m just saying. I don’t know how they’re winning these games.
“Like if I’m the Wizards or I’m Toronto, I’m like, ‘this is a toss-up series. We can beat this team.’ This team right here, they put zero fear in anyone’s heart. “
Well, the Celtics did beat the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, and they did hold the Golden State Warriors to under 94 points — 88 to be exact. It marked the fewest points the defending champs have scored in any game Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have played in together.
Barkley then backtracked on his pregame comments after the Celtics handed the Warriors their fourth loss of the young season:
“They played very well tonight. First of all, they played well all season. Brad Stevens has done a fantastic job in my opinion. Kyrie Irving is the front-runner for MVP if they keep winning. If they finish with the best record without Gordon Hayward, Kyrie deserves to get MVP. Everybody on that team is playing well.
“No disrespect, I’m not gonna make them the favorite in the Eastern Conference.”
We’ve all been here before
I swore on everything I loved that LeBron James was going lead Cleveland to its second straight NBA championship last season. Even after the Warriors made Silly Putty out of their Western Conference foes en route to an undefeated 12-0 playoff start, I thought LeBron and his Cavaliers would find a way to power through.
I even wrote about that feeling so eloquently right here for SBNation.
Boy, was I wrong.
It happens to all of us. You’ve had a moment where you swore you were right, only to have your stance flipped right onto its head. Chuck is no different, nor are Shaq, Kenny, or even innocent ol’ Ernie Johnson.
Yes, Barkley is supposed to be an expert, as are Shaq and The Jet. They’ve played in the league, had long successful Hall of Fame careers in the league, and are now studio analysts using their experience in the NBA to educate the general public. But even the pros get it wrong.
So, no, Chuck’s not an idiot — though his stance on “De’Aaron” and “Tobias” not being “real names” is ridiculous. He’s just human. A human just like the rest of us.
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