Inside the NBA’s Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Jr., Kenny Smith, and Chris Webber make some predictions with the 2015-16 NBA Season.
The guys from Inside the NBA made some bold predictions with regards to the just underway 2015-16 NBA season. Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Jr., Kenny Smith and Chris Webber all give their two cents with these burning questions.
Charles Barkley DOES NOT believe the Golden State Warriors will repeat as NBA Champions, citing Oklahoma City as the team to beat in the NBA. Does he not realize that Kevin Durant is coming off three offseason surgeries to his foot and this team continues to run no plays on offense? Having Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Serge Ibaka are as good of a big three as anybody has, but defensive intensity and depth are concerns for the Thunder. Chuck likes the Bucks on the come up and has no idea who any of the rookies are.
Shaq charges through his set of questions guns a-blazing, as does Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Both have similar answers to most of their questions. In general, the panel likes Milwaukee to have the most upside, Karl-Anthony Towns to win Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant to win MVP, and that Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers have the fiercest rivalry in the NBA. Hard to argue with popular belief.
EJ takes his sweet time answering these questions, but still having the same answers as Chuck, Shaq, and Kenny. Though EJ does think highly of the Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry. Now that Lowry is in shape, look out for the Raptors in the Atlantic in 2016 as a contending team in the Eastern Conference.
C-Webb does offer some different opinions than the rest of the panel. Webber is very high on the Minnesota Timberwolves, citing the youth and talent on the roster. Maybe not this year, but Minnesota is closer to competitiveness than expected.
He also praises Tim Duncan’s toughness, but doesn’t realize that Golden State-Cleveland can’t stand as the NBA’s best rivalry. They only play twice this regular season and there are no guarantees the two teams will meet again in the NBA Finals. Clippers-Warriors makes the most sense.