HOUSTON — After the Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors for the first time in four years, one of their former stars had some interesting things to say about the team.
We’re talking about Charles Barkley and comments he made on the NBA on TNT after host Ernie Johnson asked him if he’s impressed with the young Rockets.
There's a lot to be impressed with the team about. The 17-8 Rockets are currently the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference after having missed the playoffs for each of the last four seasons.
After a long pause, Barkley gave his answer.
“They don’t have any idea how to play basketball,” Barkley said.
While that may have sounded a bit harsh, it was the start of what just might have been a compliment.
“They play the game strictly on talent,” Barkley continued. “They’ve got so much more talent than the Warriors, but there’s one reason I say – they’ve got a great record, but they’re not ready for primetime ‘cause the refs had to give them the game tonight.”
Johnson countered with the team’s youth. Some of the teams’ biggest stars are under 23, including Amen Thompson at 21, Jabari Smith Jr. at 21, Alperen Sengun at 22, Jalen Green at 22, and Tari Eason at 23.
Barkley went on to say the Rockets have a bright future but noted the team needs discipline and shot selection.
You can see the full exchange below.
As far as the refs giving the Rockets the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr seemed to agree.
After Steph Curry missed a 3-pointer with Golden State up a point with 11 seconds to go, Gary Payton II grabbed the offensive rebound but turned it over with a pass that Jalen Green intercepted. Jonathan Kuminga was then called for a foul against Green while they were on the floor, giving Green a pair of free throws that lifted Houston to the 91-90 victory and a spot in the NBA Cup semifinals.
“That is unconscionable,” Kerr said. “I mean, I don’t even understand what just happened.”
Kerr thought it should have either been a jump ball or the Rockets should have been given the timeout they were attempting to call.
“Our guys battled back, played their (expletives) off and deserved to win that game or at least have a chance for one stop at the end to finish the game,” he said. “And that was taken from us by a call that I don’t think an elementary school referee would have made. Because that guy would have had feel and said: ‘You know what I’m not going to decide a game on a loose ball 80 feet from the basket.’”
Not the first time Barkley has had choice words for Southeast Texas
Now if Barkley bashing Southeast Texas sounds familiar, there’s a reason. Earlier this year, he took a shot at Galveston when talking about the New Orleans Pelicans, who were about to make an early exit from the postseason. It’s been a catchphrase on the show that when a team’s season is over, they’re off to Cancun on vacation. But Barkley was so disgusted with the way the Pelicans played that he said they should be sent to Galveston. It was a shot that didn’t sit well with Beyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
