As the 2023-24 NBA season gets underway and season predictions have started to roll in, TNT Sports analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has given his pick.
Speaking to the media before Tuesday’s NBA on TNT season opener, Barkley announced he was picking the Boston Celtics.
“The one thing the Celtics were missing was a point guard, and they got probably the best point guard available. I thought the Milwaukee Bucks would be the favorite and then the next week the Celtics got Jrue Holiday and I had to change that. I’d probably pick the Celtics to win this thing because I like the [Kristaps] Porzingis trade.” Barkley said.
His reasoning makes sense. Boston was able to make it all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year with a revolving door of Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon (both since traded), and Derrick White, each of whom is a perfectly fine player.
However, Holiday has a higher career scoring and assist average than all three. Boston adding a pair of scoring options in Holiday and Porzingis could absolutely prove to be a difference-maker on nights when teams are able to contain Boston’s top two scorers, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Unfortunately for Celtics fans, Barkley’s predictions don’t exactly have the best track record, which social media was sure to remind everyone of. However, some also agreed with Barkley’s assessment.
About Robert O'Neill