‘My Suns are better’: Charles Barkley optimistic about Phoenix, down on Mavericks
LOS ANGELES – Charles Barkley is feeling good about his Phoenix Suns.
The same can’t be said for the defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
Barkley said on TNT’s “Inside The NBA” on Thursday that he sees the Mavericks being a “middle of the road” team in the West. Dallas defeated the San Antonio Spurs on TNT earlier that night.
“I think they got lucky last year because of matchups,” Barkley said. “Everything worked out perfectly for them.”
In turn, Barkley said the Suns are among a handful of teams who are better this season.
“This year, I think Phoenix is better, New Orleans is going to be better, the Lakers are going to be solid, Memphis is going to be good,” Barkley continued. “I think Dallas is a bottom of the West, sixth, seventh or eighth seed.”
Barkley later said the Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t returning to the conference finals. Dallas topped Minnesota to reach the finals before losing to the Boston Celtics in five.
Barkley again mentioned the Suns being an improved team after saying the Nuggets would struggle due to a weak bench. Denver lost Thursday to Oklahoma City on TNT.
“The West is better,” Barkley said. “My Suns are better. New Orleans is better. Memphis is going to be better. The only team in the West that’s not any good is Portland. Every other team in the West, Sacramento is going to be solid.
The Suns opened their 2024-25 season with a 116-113 overtime win Wednesday over the Los Angeles Clippers in the new $2-billion Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
They conclude their two-game road trip Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. Phoenix faces the Mavericks in the Suns’ home opener at Footprint Center on Saturday at 7 p.m.
