Charles Barkley stirred the pot again on Inside the NBA—but this time, even his co-hosts didn’t laugh him off. With the Western Conference wide open, Barkley threw out a take that might not be so crazy after all.
A Bold Claim—With Backing?
“I’m going to say something crazy,” Barkley began on Thursday night’s broadcast.
“The Clippers might be the second-best team in the West.”
With Oklahoma City clearly leading the pack, Barkley suggested that a healthy Clippers squad could be the biggest threat behind them. Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson didn’t disagree.
Kawhi Leonard’s Unbelievable Consistency
What stuns Barkley most is Kawhi Leonard’s ability to perform despite missing time.
“Kawhi Leonard is amazing to me,” Barkley said. “I’ve never seen a guy who never plays basketball, and comes back like he’s been playing somewhere else. Like he’s been playing overseas.”
Leonard’s recent form has helped push the Clippers into the playoff mix—and not just as a fringe team. Over their last 15 games, the Clippers rank No. 1 in defensive rating and No. 2 in offensive efficiency, giving them arguably the best all-around form in the league.
A Playoff Showdown Brewing?
As of now, the Clippers sit fifth in the West—just ahead of the Lakers. If the standings hold, the two teams could finally meet in a playoff series for the first time ever.
An all-L.A. clash between LeBron James and a red-hot Clippers team could be one of the most anticipated first-round matchups in years.
