Charles Barkley blasts the NBA for fan treatment
NBA legend Charles Barkley is highly critical of the league for treatment of the fans.
Cooper Flagg turned in an eye-opening performance in his first NBA Christmas Day Game. The rookie went off for a game-high 27 points on 13-of-21 shooting, to go along with six rebounds, five assists, a block and one three-pointer in 36 minutes of action. The Dallas Mavericks, however, still came up short against the Golden State Warriors, 126-116, after Anthony Davis was forced to exit the game due to a groin injury.
The nationally televised game was covered by ESPN, which meant Charles Barkley and Co. were able to provide their immediate analysis after the contest. The NBA legend had a lot to say after the game, including a bold statement about how the Mavs are now Flagg’s team.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg
Davis exited the game in the second quarter. He made his way to the locker room with an apparent groin injury and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The Mavericks have not provided the full details of Davis’ latest injury, but the fact that the 10-time All-Star was not able to return is already a cause for concern.
Davis, who has an extensive history of injuries, has already missed 16 games this season for the Mavs, and this latest development could lead to another spell on the sidelines for the oft-injured superstar.
Barkley has had enough of this. Speaking on ESPN’s postgame show, the former NBA MVP declared that Davis “is never going to be healthy.” He went on to say that the Mavs are now Flagg’s team. “I would move on. …. This experiment is over,” Barkley stated.
“It’s time to do a full rebuild in Dallas,” continued the NBA icon. “Build around Cooper Flagg.”
Barkley has also seen enough from Flagg to prove that the 19-year-old is the real deal. In his mind, Barkley is adamant that the Mavs no longer need a couple more years for Flagg to be ready, because he believes the former Duke Blue Devils star is already prepared to take over the reins now.
It is worth noting that Davis is still under contract with the Mavs through 2028, with a player option on the last season of his current deal. They also have Kyrie Irving still waiting on the wings as the nine-time All-Star point guard continues to rehab a torn left ACL.
Barkley has intimated that the Mavs must now move on from their two older superstars to build a new squad from the ground up, with Flagg serving as the cornerstone.