Charles Barkley: Kawhi Leonard is a starter.

[Buddy Holly]

Per the Dan Patrick Show.

[MaNu4Tres]

Very possible-- kid has to earn it. Spurs are not the Wizards Chuck.

[ohmwrecker]

Love him or not, Chuck was right more than he was wrong last year.

[JR3]

Love him or not, Chuck was right more than he was wrong last year.

its true. Maybe he put down the drugs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

if he gets the startin job = ROY, FIRST TEAM ALL ROOKIE TEAM

[tim_duncan_fan]

I've always trusted Chuck. He loves the Spurs. I don't know why he gets so much flack on here.

[Ginobilly]

Anything is better than Gayfferson starting. No doubt Pop is going to give Jefferson the starting spot, but if he continues his piss poor play, I wouldn't be surprised if Pop goes with Leonard by January.

[k_nguyen93]

He didn't love them last year that's why. In hindsight he was right. Defense wasn't on par with previous years. I don't think they were overrated per say but flawed. Can't really be overrated if you get no love yet win 60+ games. He was also saying Dallas was best team in Texas all season.

[SourCandy]

spurs are due a fresh superstar.

[will_spurs]

Anything is better than Gayfferson starting. No doubt Pop is going to give Jefferson the starting spot, but if he continues his piss poor play, I wouldn't be surprised if Pop goes with Leonard by January.

Like Splitter last year. I can totally see it.

[pawe]

Leonard, Neal, Blair, Splitter, Anderson <--- Good solid young guys right there!

[TDMVPDPOY]

is he good enough to be a franchise player?

[k_nguyen93]

Blair needs to get in shape. You're forgetting DaSean Butler, Ryan Richards, and Danny Green. Lots of young guns. Even Novak > Bonner.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

Leonard, Neal, Blair, Splitter, Anderson <--- Good solid young guys right there!

Neal is 28 :/

[Solid D]

Remember Charles' postgame remarks after the Rockets played the Spurs in Timmy's rookie season? "I have seen the future and he wears number 21."

[objective]

Spurs will be a better team if Leonard is playing more minutes than Jefferson.

[Ginobilly]

He didn't love them last year that's why. In hindsight he was right. Defense wasn't on par with previous years. I don't think they were overrated per say but flawed. Can't really be overrated if you get no love yet win 60+ games. He was also saying Dallas was best team in Texas all season.


I don't know, I think we could of beaten the Mavs this year if Tim and Manu would of been fully healthy, but I don't know about beating the Lakers or Miami though. The NBA playoffs is all about matchups rather than who is the "better" team overall most of the time. And we seem to matchup pretty well with the Mavs this time around, kinda like they did against us in 06/07. That's why it was kinda good that we didn't play them in 07 because they had the psychological advantage over us. But I think now we have it against them. They should try to avoid the Spurs at all costs in the 2012 playoffs because the spurs are going to be looking for blood. We are way overdue for a deep playoff run!

[Buddy Holly]

Neal is 28 :/

Bowen was 30 when he got here in 2001. He lasted a good 8 years.

I'll take a good 8-10 more years from Neal. His game doesn't require great athleticism or anything that'll take a toll on his body. He can go for a while.

[Solid D]

That was an easy one though.

That's true and not all of Charles' picks in the NCAA tourney were correct, either.

[Obstructed_View]

Charles despised the Spurs' "no defense" teams. No wonder he thinks a guy that can defend should start for them.

[objective]

Neal is 28 :/

if by 28 you mean 26, then yes

[Mel_13]

Neal is 28 :/


if by 28 you mean 26, then yes

:lol

Beat me to it.

[TMTTRIO]

I've always trusted Chuck. He loves the Spurs.

Really? For the last two seasons he hasn't and his favorite player Manu has fallen off his list of favorite players.

[Ginobilly]

Charles despised the Spurs' "no defense" teams. No wonder he thinks a guy that can defend should start for them.

That's why he hasn't given us a chance after 07 and he was right. Hopefully it looks like Pop is coming back to his senses and going back to defense, old boring Spurs basketball.

[Obstructed_View]

That's why he hasn't given us a chance after 07 and he was right. Hopefully it looks like Pop is coming back to his senses and going back to defense, old boring Spurs basketball.

Agreed. As a fan it makes you mad, but the results make it pretty hard to dispute his opinions about it.


BTW, I don't recall Barkley saying anything negative about Manu.

[spurs10]

Judging by RC's comments it's not over yet. You know they're working hard on moving RJ so hopefully Leanard will fill his spot. Yes, Charles was indeed more right than wrong last season.

[Obstructed_View]

I don't see the Spurs getting rid of RJ without throwing in a bargain like Neal, and that's not happening with Hill gone. Is there an equally useless player / bloated contract at a position of need that they can swap for?

[DesignatedT]

That;s the one thing about Hill leaving for a draft pick. Not really many options to package RJ with now.

[Ginobilly]

Agreed. As a fan it makes you mad, but the results make it pretty hard to dispute his opinions about it.


BTW, I don't recall Barkley saying anything negative about Manu.


True. Manu is one of his fav players in the league.(He probably wishes he played with Manu instead of Kevin Johnson and Thunder Dan). I don't know what happened to the spurs after 07. It's like if Stern/NBA gave Pop/RC and Holt money under the table in order for the Spurs to suck on purpose. We go on to sign the shittiest of players after 07(Bonner, Udoka, Vaghn, Jefferson). Never gave Ian a chance to play and learn from his mistakes(the way he did to Bonner and finely). Benched Splitter the majority of 2010/2011 when clearly any other coach in the NBA would of started Splitter with Duncan. Maybe Pop is finally coming off his "small ball/corporate knowledge" trip.

And I forgot we traded Scola for trash!

[DesignatedT]

I agree. I felt like game 6 against the Grizz was the last time RJ would see the floor in a Spurs uniform and I still believe that.

[cantthinkofanything]

That;s the one thing about Hill leaving for a draft pick. Not really many options to package RJ with now.

what about a package with Blair and Jefferson?

[DesignatedT]

I don't think Blair really has much value around the league with being undersized and the knee situation he has. Definitely didn't have value that George did but most likely the best option we have right now to get rid of RJ. Blair/RJ/A couple draft picks might be able to get it done.

[pgardn]

As much money as Charles has thrown away in Vegas being utterly wrong...


Charles had a hot streak this year though.

[sehui]

I don't think Blair really has much value around the league with being undersized and the knee situation he has. Definitely didn't have value that George did but most likely the best option we have right now to get rid of RJ. Blair/RJ/A couple draft picks might be able to get it done.

I'm opposed to moving any of our future draft picks, simply because within 1-2 years, Duncan and Pop and even Manu might retire, and thus our draft picks are vital.

[DesignatedT]

I'm opposed to moving any of our future draft picks, simply because within 1-2 years, Duncan and Pop and even Manu might retire, and thus our draft picks are vital.

That may be true but if it gets rid of RJ, I'd find it hard to imagine the Spurs turn it down.

[cantthinkofanything]

I don't think Blair really has much value around the league with being undersized and the knee situation he has. Definitely didn't have value that George did but most likely the best option we have right now to get rid of RJ. Blair/RJ/A couple draft picks might be able to get it done.

Probably so. But I don't see Blair as a long term Spur and I'd like to get something for him while he still may have some value to other teams.

[4>0rings]

So, do we like Chuck now cause he said something good about the Spurs pick? Let me know which way you people flopped this year.

[suitedkings]

Leonard will get his first start in game 6 of the first round when its too late.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I get a strong feeling that there is a good chance Jefferson is traded down the line straight up for someone. Or maybe with Blair. There are a few options around the league of teams who might want a small forward who has been on winning teams. I personally think the Warriors and Clippers are possible destinations. Andres and Monta are salary match ups. Chris Kaman in LA. Maybe include McDyess with RJ to the 76ers for Iggy (I'd probably have a heart attack). But for some reason I think it is likely to happen. No idea why though.

Do you think Blair, Jefferson, a future first and cash for AI would work?

[wildbill2u]

People expect Barkley to hang onto a team and a player like he was a fan. He is paid for analysis and opinion, not to be a fan. He adjusts his opinions as time goes by and players and teams change with the passage of time. He tells it like he sees it--and he's often right on.

[Obstructed_View]

As much money as Charles has thrown away in Vegas being utterly wrong...



If being smart was all that was required to get rich in Vegas, they would have gone out of business years ago.

[GrandeDavid]

Love him or not, Chuck was right more than he was wrong last year.

You are so right. I was irked by his negative comments on the Spurs, but in retrospect I think it was that little bit of stinging pride. Hopefully he's also right about Kawhi Leonard!

[yavozerb]

I am still hoping they could trade RJ+Mcdyess contract for the the last year of Jamison's contract in cleveland.

[SnakeBoy]

I don't know why he gets so much flack on here.

Dude spent the whole season saying the spurs couldn't win in the playoffs playing 3 point ball and then had the gall to claim we wouldn't beat Memphis. The nerve of that guy!

It's almost as bad as Parker saying the the current spurs weren't going to be able to compete for a ring.

[Cane]

I've always trusted Chuck. He loves the Spurs. I don't know why he gets so much flack on here.

N7BscIAK4_8

:lol

[MaNu4Tres]

I am still hoping they could trade RJ+Mcdyess contract for the the last year of Jamison's contract in cleveland.

By taking on RJ's contract with the expense of parting with Jamison, Cleveland would be taking on significant salary. Leaving them less financial flexibility for the near future (Varejao and RJ would be making 15-17 million per year- roughly 18-20% of their cap).

I think Cleveland would be more likely to part with Varejao-- who is overpaid like RJ and get's paid a similar amount (per year). By parting with Varejao and taking on RJ-- Cleveland not only gets a starting caliber small forward (Gee starts for them now), but they save 9-10 million overall by trading Varejao (4 years left on his deal oppose to RJ's 3). Don't forget they just drafted Tristan Thompson as well, who needs playing time and he won't get most of the minutes at the PF spot with Hickson starting there. Thompson will have to see minutes at the center spot (Varejao's position).

If I'm R.C, I'm calling the Cavs and offering Blair/RJ and a 1st (if needed) for Varejao.

[taps]

I'm a little late to the party but if you want to listen to the interview its been posted in its entirety at:

http://www.danpatrick.com/

There is a little audio player near the top of the page, he starts talking Spurs around the 2:50 mark.

[k_nguyen93]

You can also look up the podcast on iTunes.

[rascal]

Charles did an excellent job on the NCAA tournament this year. He's no scout, but I would take his word.

Did you take his word when he said the spurs had no shot at a title and wouldn't even get out of the first round?

[Cessation]

Barkley has been right about the spurs all year long, can't hate him for that, tbh.

[spurspokesman]

Barkley has been right about the spurs all year long, can't hate him for that, tbh.

I like chuck. He keeps it real. He speaks his mind even when it rubs folks the wrong way

[Cessation]

I like chuck. He keeps it real. He speaks his mind even when it rubs folks the wrong way

I agree, he caused some butthurt, when saying mavs>spurs last year, but he was proven right, so gotta give him props.

[ChuckD]

Neal is 28 :/

He aged three years in one? Because he was a 25 YO rookie. Standard math makes him 26.

[ChuckD]

Judging by RC's comments it's not over yet. You know they're working hard on moving RJ so hopefully Leanard will fill his spot. Yes, Charles was indeed more right than wrong last season.


That;s the one thing about Hill leaving for a draft pick. Not really many options to package RJ with now.

Teams wouldn't even bite on Parker to swallow RJ's contract. He is officially unmovable. Trading Hill made absolutely no difference to moving RJ.

[ChuckD]

I am still hoping they could trade RJ+Mcdyess contract for the the last year of Jamison's contract in cleveland.

Cleveland will never truly be able to rebuild until they rid themselves of bad contracts. Trading for RJ doesn't do that, and in fact undoes that. Therefore, they won't.

[JonNOKC]

Guy is very Raw, cant shoot, not great speed, not a post player......good defender and rebounder. I hope the spurs dont plan on starting him at the 4.

He is somewhat raw, and not a good shooter, although he has nice touch around the basket and by most accounts is already showing improvement in his jump shot from end of year to the draft.

I don't get the speed part - his sprint time was better than the following G/F - Burks, Hamilton, K. Thompson, T. Leslie, D. Lighty, D. Liggins, D. Williams, T. Harris, J. Harper, K. Singler, J. Butler, and more .

The only wing players to out sprint him were Honeycutt, Brooks, and Richmond out of the top wing players who ran at the combine (and none of those guys compare in size)

The only guy his size that showed faster was Singleton (not by much) and their agility numbers are almost identical

[ogait]

Spurs fans like Chuck again

[silverblk mystix]

This only means that Pop will give Leonard the rookie treatment and bury him on the bench.

[ChuckD]

This only means that Pop will give Leonard the rookie treatment and bury him on the bench.

Right, like Hill, Blair, Neal, and pre-injury Anderson. :rolleyes

[nickdaquick]

Guy is very Raw, cant shoot, not great speed, not a post player......good defender and rebounder. I hope the spurs dont plan on starting him at the 4.

Why do people keep insisting that he may play the 4? The guy is a 3 through and through. The only thing he lacks is a jump shot and that has been improving since he changed his form. He is exactly what the Spurs need at the 3 spot! Defense and rebounding is priorty right now. We have scorers in Parker, Gino, Anderson and Neal.

[Buddy Holly]

Guy is very Raw, cant shoot, not great speed, not a post player......good defender and rebounder. I hope the spurs dont plan on starting him at the 4.

Not true. What's with these misconceptions being spread like the gospel?

[Spursfan092120]

Guy is very Raw, cant shoot, not great speed, not a post player......good defender and rebounder. I hope the spurs dont plan on starting him at the 4.
He changed his shooting mechanics..brings his elbow in now...he's a much better shooter
_6qiP1zeSY0

[TDMVPDPOY]

Why do people keep insisting that he may play the 4? The guy is a 3 through and through. The only thing he lacks is a jump shot and that has been improving since he changed his form. He is exactly what the Spurs need at the 3 spot! Defense and rebounding is priorty right now. We have scorers in Parker, Gino, Anderson and Neal.

i wouldnt even call him the bowen replacement or mold him to be the next bowen, his actually better...


HIS THE YOUNG JAX who can do it all on the court, just wait till chip teaches him how to stroke perfect his shot

[bigdog]

He's not a 4 at all. He's a defensive 3. He'll be very solid IMO. Could be a key piece right away.

[Fireball]

If there is as season and he goes through training camp without getting injured Leonard will get significant minutes ...

[Harry Callahan]

Chuck respects the Spurs. He really does. I am not going to say anything negative at this time because Chuck was right about a lot of NBA stuff this year.

[8FOR!3]

I don't think this guy's a franchise player or anything. But I'd be very surprised if he didn't become AT LEAST a very solid starting role player if not a future all star in the mold of prime Marion/Gerald Wallace.

[k_nguyen93]

He changed his shooting mechanics..brings his elbow in now...he's a much better shooter
_6qiP1zeSY0

Haters gonna hate. He can at least shoot better than Blair/Splitter so I don't know what the deal is. Slow my ass: http://www.nbadraft.net/players/kawhi-leonard

[SenorSpur]

Why do people keep insisting that he may play the 4? The guy is a 3 through and through. The only thing he lacks is a jump shot and that has been improving since he changed his form. He is exactly what the Spurs need at the 3 spot! Defense and rebounding is priorty right now. We have scorers in Parker, Gino, Anderson and Neal.

Why? Because whenever Pop elects to resort to his often-used "small-ball" lineups, he prefers his SFs to swing over to play the PF position. He's tried doing this with RJ the past 2 seasons - much to RJ's dismay and ineffectiveness. If Pop forced RJ into such a role, you certainly know damn well he will expect Leonard to do the same?

That's one of Pop's flaws as a coach, he sometimes forces players to play out-of-position, where their limitations are revealed and they become exposed. See George Hill being forecd to masquerade as a defensive SF.

[Buddy Holly]

Watch game tape, dont get me wrong hes a ball player, but his game speed is much slower than his timed speed. I also think he is gonna play 10 lbs heavier than at the combine.

Lots of guys test well in diff areas like speed, leaping but it does not always translate to the floor.

He can shoot though, that's what I mean and he's not slow as well.

[mystargtr34]

Of course he will play some 4 but it will only be situational minutes against opposition that goes small. He will primarily be a wing. People automatically assume its a negative thing that a guy can be versatile or a tweener between a 3 and 4, but its not always the case. The Spurs have routinely been killed by smaller athletic 4's because they havent had that tweener 3/4 type who can guard these guys.. but Leonard has a perfect body type to be that guy, he is a huge 6'7" (8'10 reach and 7'3 wingspan) and his rebounding is elite. He has the potential to guard guys like Durant, Dirk, Kobe, Carmelo... guys that have routinely destroyed the Spurs over the last few years because of guys like Hill and Jefferson being the only options.

You cant just build yourself to matchup with one type of lineup.. you have to have versatility.. against the Lakers you can hopefully stick him on the perimeter on Kobe and make him shoot over a 8'10 reach... and you can play him at the 4 against the Mavs and not lose anything in rebounding.

Versatility is a good thing.

[lefty]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/128/416/1156703.jpg.27433.0_display_image.jpg?1261425175

[lefty]

Watch game tape.
Keep yourself up to date

He has improved his shooting

Granted, he is not where he should be yet, but he is gonna get there

[ducks]

you hope

[lefty]

you hope
So Parker got outplayed by Conley :lmao

[spurs1990]

Ya'll can hear the conversation here:

http://www.danpatrick.com/2011/06/24/barkley-kanter-should-have-been-no-1-overall/

Love Dan Patrick's logic on the Hill trade. Not.

[TE]

I hope this guy doesn't turn out like Corey Brewer.

[objective]

I'm starting to think, or maybe hope is more accurate, that Leonard could be a starter sooner rather than later. Mostly because I think Jefferson is the type of player who will come to camp fat and will be prone to nagging injuries now that he's both been guaranteed another near $30 million dollars and how he was benched and ignored by Pop in the biggest game of the year. Especially if camp gets pushed back by the lockout.

So an out of shape, unmotivated Jefferson showing up at camp with maybe some minor injury tweaks opens the door for a hungry Leonard to step in. Pop would have to think it fair to the team and to Leonard first though.

[joshdaboss]

Ya'll can hear the conversation here:

http://www.danpatrick.com/2011/06/24/barkley-kanter-should-have-been-no-1-overall/

Love Dan Patrick's logic on the Hill trade. Not.

What do you mean? Patrick was dead-on. Unless this Leonard joker gets significant minutes, year 1, this trade is automatically a joke.

[BackHome]

I like the way our drafts went by trading Hill a guy we would not be able to afford for a 15th pick and getting a young Bowen/Rodman type of player at our second weakest postion SF was a blessing.

I hope we will be able to do the same thing next year in trading Blair and moving up the draft board and getting a good PF or Center.

[k_nguyen93]

To be honest best time to trade Blair is after rookie-sophmore game when he's still starting. Getting benched in playoffs because of too much McDonalds ain't the best way to up your stock. Still have the possible issue of his knees as well.

[Mel_13]

Why? Because whenever Pop elects to resort to his often-used "small-ball" lineups, he prefers his SFs to swing over to play the PF position. He's tried doing this with RJ the past 2 seasons - much to RJ's dismay and ineffectiveness. If Pop forced RJ into such a role, you certainly know damn well he will expect Leonard to do the same?

That's one of Pop's flaws as a coach, he sometimes forces players to play out-of-position, where their limitations are revealed and they become exposed. See George Hill being forecd to masquerade as a defensive SF.

He force-fed RJ at the 4 until the All-Star break in his first season and very rarely after that.

RJ played 90% of his minutes at the 3 in 2010-11 and almost all his minutes at the 4 were to match-up with smallball configurations of the opponent.

If Leonard plays, I would expect him to be used the same way.

[objective]

RJ publicly complained about playing smallball 4 also, and combined with the rest of his soft lazy play was a recipe for disaster.

If Pop thinks it's fair to the team to play Leonard as a smallball 4, I hope Leonard is hungry enough to do a better job at it.

[TXstbobcat]

It kind of sucks that there is no summer league play this offseason. I would have been really excited to go to Vegas to see Leanord play.

[Tyrone Jenkins]

First and foremost, let's understand something fundamental - positions for players can get "assigned" by lots of different factors. Height is usually the greatest one but I'd offer many analysts are often wrong. Take Dirk for instance . . . what's his true position? PF? C? Sometimes down the floor, he's a SG. At other times, he's a PF. No one seems to be questioning Carlisle's use of him.

Player positions are determined by the offensive skillset. Plain and simple. TP is a point guard due to his DECISION MAKING ability. Ball handling alone does not a point guard make - it's a secondary skill. Gary Neal is a SG - through and through. SGs typically run around picks and shoot (imagine that) where the only decisions they have to make is whether to catch and shoot or make a move on the defender, move a few feet then shoot. That's a typical SGs game (don't get confused w/ Kobe, Wade and MJ who were the exception). Ray Allen is your classic 2 guard. Hill did have some decent point guard decision making skill but played more like a SG to me.

The SF position is typically the 2nd smartest guy on the team in that he has some decision making responsibilities as well. Offenses are often built around SF play in that many can do multiple things - shoot from deep, drive to the basket or post up smaller players. They can usually defend one position higher and lower (SGs and PFs) as well as their own position. Paul Pierce and Melo are elite SFs. Kawhi Leonard will probably never be as good a shooter or offensive threat as either, but that's not what the Spurs system calls for.

Having Leonard play the 4 when Pop goes to a smaller lineup is IDEAL. The reason for the smaller lineup is for quickness (obviously) - of course, you give up size on the defensive end. Whenever Blair was in the game, the Spurs were effectively playing small ball. Only thing was that Blair wasn't quick enough to guard the SF position wherein Leonard is. Now, w/ a lineup of Leonard and Blair or Bonner in the game, he has more options than just using Blair or Bonner to guard the PF.

[wildbill2u]

Of course he will play some 4 but it will only be situational minutes against opposition that goes small. He will primarily be a wing. People automatically assume its a negative thing that a guy can be versatile or a tweener between a 3 and 4, but its not always the case. The Spurs have routinely been killed by smaller athletic 4's because they havent had that tweener 3/4 type who can guard these guys.. but Leonard has a perfect body type to be that guy, he is a huge 6'7" (8'10 reach and 7'3 wingspan) and his rebounding is elite. He has the potential to guard guys like Durant, Dirk, Kobe, Carmelo... guys that have routinely destroyed the Spurs over the last few years because of guys like Hill and Jefferson being the only options.

You cant just build yourself to matchup with one type of lineup.. you have to have versatility.. against the Lakers you can hopefully stick him on the perimeter on Kobe and make him shoot over a 8'10 reach... and you can play him at the 4 against the Mavs and not lose anything in rebounding.

Versatility is a good thing.

Speaking of PFs and bulked up SG/SF that have given us fits, how about Zach Randolph and that guy from out in California that went to Houston?
They take our little guys down in the post and kill us--and Tim is too slow these days to do much against a mobile PF.

[Solid D]

Bump this thread from 6/24/11 following the draft.

[Solid D]

"He's relentless and you cannot teach relentless" - Jay Bilas (regarding Kawhi Leonard)

[DPG21920]

I'm so happy with how good he's turned out to be so early on. Im blown away by his development and cant wait to see his first playoffs.

[therealtruth]

Barkley's been on fire in his predictions since last season.

[lefty]

Bump this thread from 6/24/11 following the draft.

Solid bump from Solid D :tu

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Its eye opening cuz of all the fatalistic RJ talk

[BoricuaCJA]

I'm still so happy we made that trade up to get him. He has been incredible this year and I believe he will have a great playoffs this year. He is Spurs material!

[Spurtacus]

Sir Charles is a smart man.

I hope he picked the Spurs to win it all. Need to offset the jinx from Shaq.

[siraulo23]

danny green is also a starter...

[Solid D]

Kawhi is a starter and a finisher
Fixed

[SpursRock20]

danny green is also a starter...

Thanks to a giant gift from Pop. I don't see Green starting in the playoffs.

[Beanzamillion21]

if he gets the startin job = ROY, FIRST TEAM ALL ROOKIE TEAM

Not likely. :(

[Solid D]

I couldn't help but notice SpursRock20's sig video loop of Kawhi's dunk, 2 posts above this one. The "quiet" leader Tim Duncan in the background. Oldest player in uniform, on a pogo-stick, extremely into the game, looking as fresh, vocal and intense as anyone at that game!

[GSH]

I've always trusted Chuck. He loves the Spurs. I don't know why he gets so much flack on here.

You can't really tell when Barkley is being serious, and when he is just saying something to be outrageous. Or to get under Kenny's skin. Like when he "guaranteed" that Yao Ming wouldn't score 20 points in any game his rookie season, or he (Barkley) would kiss Kenny's ass? They had to bring in a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and make Charles kiss the tail part?

Barkley is a smart guy, when it comes to basketball. Not perfect, but smart. But, just like Shaq, he knows the value of showmanship. A lot of people here love him when he says something good about the Spurs, and get pissed when he says something critical. He's been right with both kinds of comments. He's also said a lot of things just to stir the pot. You have to be careful with the Chuckster.

[703 Spurz]

I've always trusted Chuck. He loves the Spurs. I don't know why he gets so much flack on here.

Earlier in the year he said OKC, Portland, and Dallas were the only teams that were any good in the West. Barkley is a fucking moron.

[Carnage&Mayhem]

I'm so happy with how good he's turned out to be so early on. Im blown away by his development and cant wait to see his first playoffs.

I am extremely happy with his adaptability, and seeing as he is really young, he has alot more juice to go harder for longer than alot of the other players.
I hope in his first playoff series in the NBA he can play clutch, he's a key player and we'll need his sneaky hands (which are huge btw)

[ViceCity84]

Barkley wrote Spurs off earlier in the season,but now is back on the bandwagon.Barkley usually right about the Spurs.He was one of their few supporters in 2003 and following to 2007.He said they were too old in 2008 when they face Lakers WCF-He was right.He has been off Spurs bandwagon until now.

It's a SIGN.

[apalisoc_9]

Good call barkely. he's even better than just a starter....