Even though the Boston Celtics seem to still be the favorites to win a second straight NBA championship, there is plenty of parity across the league, and there could easily be a new champion this summer.
For years, the Golden State Warriors were the league’s model franchise as they won four world titles and changed pro basketball into one that has embraced pace and space, as well as a more team-oriented, pass-heavy offensive style.
After missing the playoffs last season, they started 12-3 this season, which led some to proclaim that they had risen from the ashes as a contender.
But since then, they have lost five games in a row, and on “Inside the NBA,” Turner Sports personality Charles Barkley said he isn’t buying the Warriors as a title contender.
“I don’t believe in the Warriors,” said Barkley. “But they’re cute, they’re fun to watch”
“I don’t believe in the Warriors. But they’re cute, they’re fun to watch”
Charles isn’t buying stock in Golden State this season 😅 pic.twitter.com/PtQPBbvEAt
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 4, 2024
Barkley said he doesn’t believe in the Warriors because they lack star power alongside future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry, and it’s hard to disagree with him.
In past years, Curry was flanked by sharpshooter Klay Thompson and, for three years, Kevin Durant, but this season, the team is getting things done more with depth than star power.
Golden State’s second-leading scorer is forward Andrew Wiggins at 17.2 points a game, and while he’s an effective two-way player who was an All-Star starter during the 2021-22 season, he simply isn’t a true star.
On Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets in Emirates NBA Cup group play, Golden State forged a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, only to blow that advantage and lose 119-115 to Nikola Jokić and crew.
They will likely have to pull off a major trade if they are to take that next step back into the NBA’s elite class.
