When discussing the best NBA teams of the past decade, the Golden State Warriors belong at the top of the list. Led by Stephen Curry’s historic shooting, scoring brilliance, and leadership, Golden State captured championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, cementing the franchise as one of the defining dynasties of the modern NBA.
Love him or hate him, Draymond Green has also been central to that success. His elite defense, playmaking, intensity, and basketball IQ helped shape the Warriors into far more than just a high-powered offensive team.
But nothing lasts forever. According to NBA Hall of Famer and commentator Charles Barkley, Golden State’s days as a true championship contender may be over. The Warriors have missed the playoffs multiple times in recent years, and Barkley believes age has finally caught up with the core that once dominated the league.
“It ends for every old team. You have your run, you get old. Y’all let Klay Thompson go. You and Steph are on the backside of your careers. It just passed you by,” Barkley said on “Inside the NBA.”
Barkley didn’t stop there.
“Y’all had one of the greatest runs ever. You’re not in the playoffs. You think you’re going to get healthier for next year? You’re just going to get older!” he added.
The TNT analyst then suggested that if Curry or Green want another NBA championship, it may have to come somewhere other than Golden State.
“That’s no disrespect,” Barkley continued. “You guys had one of the greatest runs of all time. If you want to compete, you’re going to have to leave there. If Steph wants to compete, he’s going to have to leave there. You’re going to have to make that decision.”
To support his point, Barkley compared the Warriors’ situation to other legendary NBA teams whose eras eventually came to an end.
“It ended for Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics. It ended for Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons. It ended for Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, The Last Dance. It ended for Tim Duncan and Parker and Ginobili. It always ends. Sports are for young people. You hope to have a great long career, but sports, nobody wins when they’re 37, 38,” Barkley said.
Green fired back with a shot of his own, saying, “I think the goal is just to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform.” But even with the jab, the Warriors forward seemed to acknowledge that Barkley’s broader point may have some truth to it.
“Here’s why I would say we had the hug for a reason, right? Like, we’re not oblivious. So this could be the end,” Green said.
What do you think of the fact that Charles Barkley thinks the Warriors dynasty is over? What do you think of Draymond Green’s responses to Barkley as a result? Let us know in the comments.
