While many former players express disappointment over the modern league’s reduced physicality, Charles Barkley has directed his critique at the style of play. In a recent match where the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors set a record with a combined total of 48 three-pointers, “The Chuckster” openly condemned the game, claiming it has moved too far from traditional basketball.
Barkley critiques the Mavs vs. Warriors match
Although newer NBA fans may be impressed by both teams scoring over 130 points and achieving high shooting percentages from three-point range, the 1993 MVP sees it differently. On “The Dan Patrick Show,” Barkley shared his irritation with what he believes is the decline of regular-season games into mere three-point and free-throw exhibitions, where defensive effort has all but vanished.
“I watched the Warriors play the Mavericks, and it was one of the worst games I’ve seen,” Barkley remarked. “The score was something like 14-130; they just raced up and down the court shooting threes. Honestly, I thought, ‘This is terrible to watch. It’s just going to be a three-point contest every night.’ It frustrates me because it feels like we’re only having a three-point and free-throw shooting contest. I’m not a fan of it.”
“Sir Charles” advocates for changes in the NBA
Despite six players scoring more than 20 points each in the Mavericks versus Warriors game, Barkley found it dull. He pointed to the declining NBA ratings, using this game as an example to illustrate how an entertainment-focused offensive style has alienated dedicated basketball fans. Furthermore, Barkley argued that while the three-point action in the modern NBA can be impressive, the league’s declining appeal compared to other American sports is largely due to its excessive focus on perimeter shooting and free throws resulting from minimal contact.
“We need to address this; ratings are consistently dropping,” Barkley emphasized. “As I’ve said, fans are the most crucial part of the game—without their support, we can’t thrive.”
While matches like the Mavs-Warriors shootout may entertain some fans, “Chuck’s” dissatisfaction reveals that not everyone embraces this new style of basketball. Whether the league chooses to adapt its strategy or continue down this path, it’s evident that this debate will persist.
