Charles Barkley is obsessed with New York.
Rebounding Round Mound himself couldn’t bring himself to let the Knicks or their fans celebrate their thrilling 130-121 Game 2 victory over the Pacers.
“People think we care about who wins,” he says. He spoke on TNT’s postgame show.. “If the Knicks win, that’s good. I don’t care who wins. But I’ll tell you what: I want to see them get their butts stomped by the Celtics, which is… That would be great. All I’m saying is whoever wins this series is going to be crushed by the Celtics.”
The Knicks are two wins away from considering a potential Celtics matchup — Boston swept the Cavaliers in the opening game of their second-round series — but Chuck apparently has a rift with the Garden faithful. He seems to be deeply nervous.
Kenny Smith pointed out that Barkley actually cared about who would win, and he seemed to agree with that.
“New Yorkers deserve it,” Barclay said. “You think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Everybody’s not that good in New York, come on, you’re overrated.”
Barkley spoke openly about his distaste during the Knicks’ first-round series against the 76ers, where New York fans made their presence felt during Game 3 in Philadelphia.
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It’s unclear whether that led to his strange anger toward the Knicks, or whether it was some other disrespect that led to his strange anger, but he was encouraged by panelmate and opponent Shaquille O’Neal to “keep going.” It is said that
Mr. Berkeley was happy to oblige.
“Because they make good pizza and good bagels,” Barclay added.
But he stopped short of trashing all of New York.
“I have nothing bad to say about street meat,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t care about the type of meat.”
