LOS ANGELES – Charles Barkley feels good about himself Phoenix Suns.
The identical can’t be stated for the defending Western Convention champion Dallas Mavericks.
Barkley stated Thursday on TNT’s “Inside The NBA” that he considers the Mavericks a “middle-of-the-road” staff within the West. Dallas beat the San Antonio Spurs on TNT earlier within the night.
“I feel they received fortunate final yr with matchups,” Barkley stated. “Every part labored out completely for them.”
In flip, Barkley stated the Suns have been amongst a handful of higher groups this season.
“This yr I feel Phoenix is going to be higher, New Orleans goes to be higher, the Lakers are going to be strong, Memphis goes to be good,” Barkley continued. “I feel Dallas is on the backside of the West, sixth, seventh or eighth seed.
Barkley later stated the Minnesota Timberwolves wouldn’t return to the convention finals. Dallas dominated Minnesota to succeed in the Finals earlier than shedding to the Boston Celtics in 5.
Barkley as soon as once more talked about the Suns have been an improved staff after saying the Nuggets would battle due to a weak bench. Denver misplaced to Oklahoma Metropolis on TNT on Thursday.
“The West is best,” Barkley stated. “My Suns are higher. New Orleans is best. Memphis goes to be higher. The one staff within the West that is not good is Portland. All the opposite groups within the West, Sacramento, can be robust.
“The Nuggets, they will need to discover a bench. They’ll need to do one thing as a result of it is such a major drop on their bench. It is not truthful to the Joker (Nikola Jokic), Jamal (Murray), Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.
The Suns opened their 2024-25 season with a 116-113 time beyond regulation victory Wednesday towards the Los Angeles Clippers within the new $2 billion Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
They conclude their two-game street journey Friday towards the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. Phoenix faces the Mavericks within the Suns’ house opener at Footprint Middle on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Do you’ve got any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at dmrakin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This text was initially revealed on Arizona Republic: Charles Barkley says ‘my Suns are higher’, Mavericks are low within the West
