When historians look back on our generation many centuries from now, no doubt that they will remember Charles Barkley vs. jump-shooting teams as one of the marquee conflicts of the time.
The 11-time All-Star turned raunchy TV analyst has openly scoffed many times at the notion that a team relying solely on jumpers could be a legitimate contender for an NBA championship. Perhaps Barkley considers himself a basketball purist but perhaps he’s just a cantankerous old man.
In any case, Chuck was forced to munch on some steamed crow after the Golden State Warriors small-balled, lengthy-limbed, and most importantly, jump-shot their way to the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2015. Initially, Barkley remained defiant, declaring basketball to still be a big man’s game, and casting doubt on the idea that a team without a Stephen Curry or a Klay Thompson could use the Warriors’ blueprint as a viable path to a chip. But after an insanely-great troll job by the Warriors themselves, it looks like Sir Charles may finally be admitting defeat.
Tuesday was Opening Night of the 2015-16 NBA season for the Warriors where they unveiled their championship banner and received their rings as a team. And they made damn sure to bring their troll game to Oracle Arena for the festivities as well.
With the game being nationally televised and Barkley a part of the TNT crew calling it, the Dubs brought in some special merchandise just for the occasion: T-shirts clowning The Round Mound of Rebound for now having fewer championships than jump-shooting teams.
Spotted at Oracle! pic.twitter.com/E3HkoI6aYV
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 28, 2015
.@KlayThompson FOR THE WIN pic.twitter.com/XENnjYUtSE
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 28, 2015
Barkley, who failed to win a single championship in his 16-year NBA career, was admirably gracious in defeat, even sporting one of the shirts for all to see.
Remember when Chuck said the @Warriors were just a jump-shooting team that couldn't win? Credit to him for this pic? pic.twitter.com/TIUOYXsMnz
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 28, 2015
Can you say, “Splash”?
Image via NBA on TNT on Twitter
