Things got a little chippy this past week after NBA Hall of Famer and current analyst Charles Barkley suggested that the Golden State Warriorsâ dynastic run may be over.
The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, won NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, making them one of the defining teams of the modern era. But Barkley argued that Golden Stateâs championship window has likely closed.
Green, an integral piece of that dynasty, appeared to take offense. He fired back with a pointed jab at Barkleyâs late-career stint in Houston.
âI think the goal is just to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform,â Green said.
The validity of Greenâs put-down is debatable, especially when you look at the numbers from Barkleyâs Rockets years. Still, Barkley did not seem especially bothered by the shot.
âHey man, I never punch down,â Barkley said on the âBickley and Marotta Morning Showâ. âDraymondâs a good player. Weâre not on the same level. I can hear, but I donât have to respond every time somebody says something about me. Draymondâs a really good player, heâs had a hell of a career, but weâre not on the same level.â
Barkley also doubled down on his comments about Green and the Warriors during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.
âHe took a shot at me but I donât get offended because Iâve said things about guys, they took personal shots at me,â Barkley said. âYou know, itâs so funny, last time you had me on the show, I told you I regretted those Rocket years, especially the last two where I sucked as a player. But I wasnât turning down no free money. I had two years left on my contract.â
Barkley acknowledged that Golden State had a legendary run, but he argued that the Warriors have not been true contenders in recent years and are unlikely to return to that level with an aging core.
âHe made it personal,â Barkley said. âThe Warriors havenât been relevant for three or four years. They been in the play-in. When youâre in the play-in, youâre not in the playoffs.â
He continued by dismissing the play-in tournament as a sign of true relevance.
âThe play-in is something they just made up to add more games to put on a different network,â Barkley said. âThe Warriors have been in the play-in I think four straight years. So they have been irrelevant. And I know he donât want to say it. Itâs over for Golden State. They had a great run. He took a personal shot at me, but Iâm not sensitive. But itâs been over in Golden State. If Golden State was relevant, he wouldnât be in the studio with me.â
What do you think of the fact that Charles Barkley fired back at Draymond Green? Do you think Barkley is correct in saying that the Warriorsâ championship dynasty run is over? Let us know in the comments.
