Charles Barkley sees 'changing of the guard' as he compares Anthony Edwards mentality to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
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Published 30/04/2024 at 12:07 GMT
TNT Sports expert Charles Barkley has been impressed with the new emerging talent in the NBA, especially with their postseason performances, and has warned that there is a "changing of the guard". NBA legends such as Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant have all been eliminated before the conference semis have started. Barkley also hailed Anthony Edwards for his post-season performances.
LeBron James and Stephen Curry
Image credit: Getty Images
TNT Sports expert Charles Barkley believes there is a "changing of the guard" happening in the NBA as new players and teams step up in the playoffs this season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have advanced into the Western Conference semi-finals after an emphatic series sweep against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, while the Oklahoma City Thunder also enjoyed a series sweep against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Anthony Edwards was in dazzling form for the Timberwolves while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced classy performances for OKC.
NBA great LeBron James saw his hopes of winning another NBA title dashed after his LA Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by defending champions the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
Four-time champion Steph Curry failed to make the playoffs with the Golden State Warriors this season and Barkley says the NBA is entering a new era with fresh talent ready to displace former superstars.
"These young kids…Steph Curry, KD and Lebron have all gone home and you got young guys like Ant, Shai Gilgeous, Luka [Doncic] is still here," Barkley told TNT Sports.
"You’ve got Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It’s a changing of the guard, plain and simple."
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal was also full of praise for OKC for their fearlessness as a group and believes their lack of experience won't phase them in the next round when they will meet either the Dallas Mavericks or the LA Clippers.
"Playoff experience only counts if you’re playing great," he told TNT Sports. "The Clippers and Dallas aren’t playing that great. OKC is playing really great. All that young stuff doesn’t matter to them, their role is defined, they know who their leaders are and they do a lot of things together.
"They’re poised and when you play against young thundercats like that, if you don’t put them away and let their confidence go up, they don’t care about experience."
The Mavericks and Clippers are locked at 2-2 in their series and TNT Sports expert Kenny Smith warned that OKC won't find it easy in the next round where they could face veteran players such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving.
"I don’t think it’s an easy game for them because not only are you talking about great players, you’re talking about experience," he explained. "And if you’re talking about a changing of the guard, Kawhi, PG, James and Russ, they have not changed the guard yet.
"They have not let it go. It is playoff experience that both teams have. Dallas with Luka and Kyrie, and you also have champions with Kawhi, and you also have the other factor that Paul George used to play in Oklahoma City."
'I haven’t seen that type of mentality since Kobe and Michael'
Barkley also said he was impressed with Anthony Edwards for his postseason performances so far with the Timberwolves.
The 22-year-old dropped 40 points in Game 4 against the Suns to guide his team to a first playoff series victory in 20 years.
Edwards also produced dominant displays during the regular season and Barkley has compared him to NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
"The one guy that I love, he’s like I’m killing everything," he said. "I haven’t seen that type of mentality since Kobe and Michael.
"They didn’t have any friends on the basketball court, they’re trying to hurt you and I love seeing that. These guys out here, they’re kissing and hugging too much for me."
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