“Old people get older,” Charles Barkley does not mince words to give ‘COOKED’ Steph Curry and team reality check

Shaq stands with the Warriors as a necessary contender for the title, despite Charles Barkley's criticism of them.

“Old people get older,” Charles Barkley does not mince words to give ‘COOKED’ Steph Curry and team reality check

Charles Barkley and Stephen Curry (Credits: YardBarker and Masslive.com)

Charles Barkley wasn’t the first to criticize the Golden State Warriors when the NBA on TNT crew created its 2024 debut on Thursday night. At the Chase Centre in San Francisco on Thursday night, Jokić scored a game-winning 40-foot shot off the floor to secure the buzzer and lead the Denver Nuggets over the Golden State Warriors 130-127. Sir Charles confirmed that they will not be continuing from this point on with this loss.

Barkley blamed Dub Nation’s veterans for their team’s defeat by the Denver Nuggets, 127–130. Chuck specifically pointed the finger at Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, who was suspended. He would even go so far as to describe them as “cooked.” Sir Charles even received backing from Kenny Smith, who doubts the Warriors’ ability to make it to the championship game. The team’s chances of winning the NBA championship are slim, according to Charles Barkley, who declared that “they are not a contender”.

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Charles Barkley said via NBA on TNT:

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They were cooked and they still are. They are not gonna make the playoffs. Steph he is gonna start going down soon. They have got an old team, everybody slows down. They’re older. Old people just get older, they don't get better. This team is cooked. They’re not a contender.
Charles Barkley on NBA on TNT

Barkley’s most recent comments are a stark contrast to what the TV analyst noted in November 2022. Chuck predicted that the Warriors could win three or four more titles in the future by sticking with their veteran players and combining them with emerging stars in Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman.

In response to Charles Barkley’s words about Steph Curry, Shaquille O’Neal supported the latter

Shaquille O’Neal defended Steph Curry after Charles Barkley mentioned him. The analyst questioned the team’s becoming older core, pointing out that Stephen Curry could no longer hide the team’s lack of efficiency from players like Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who are past their prime. Shaquille O’Neal intervened at this point. O’Neal was not prepared to write the Warriors off. He stood by Steph despite Barkley’s remarks.

Charles Barkley, Stephen Curry and Shaquille O'Neal
Charles Barkley, Stephen Curry and Shaquille O’Neal (Credits: YardBarker, Fadeaway and Sports Illustrated)

Recall that Shaq has been gently pushing for Curry to be discussed alongside the greatest of all time. This time, Charles Barkley’s tirade against the Warriors’ ageing roster forced him to stand up for the Golden Boy. Shaquille O’Neal stated via NBA on TNT:

Because of Warrior's shooting ability and their experience, I am not gonna count them out.

Golden State was 16–17 and ranked 11th in the Western Conference, going into their game against the Nuggets on Thursday night. Golden State’s record dropped to 16-18 on the season after the setback, which was their fourth in the previous five games. Next Friday night, the Warriors will play host to the Detroit Pistons.

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