The Cavaliers are off to a rocky start this season, but a win against the Knicks on Wednesday felt like a breath of fresh air. Charles Barkley, though? He ain’t buying it. The “Inside the NBA” legend didn’t mince words, declaring flat out that the Cavaliers “suck,” even when Kenny Smith pushed back.
Barkley Isn’t Holding Back, and You Know It’s Going to Sting
Barkley’s got a memory like an elephant, and he’s bringing up receipts. He pointed out the Cavs were number one a couple years ago, had home court advantage, and got bounced early. Then last year, they blew a 22-point lead and couldn’t close out. For Barkley, bringing back the exact same squad and expecting a different outcome is “insanity.” He doubled down, saying, “Man, the Cavs suck.” You can feel the frustration in his voice, and let’s be real, a lot of fans probably feel that sting. The pressure is on for this team, and Barkley just cranked it up a notch.
Donovan Mitchell’s Message: Focus On Us, Not the Noise
So, what’s Donovan Mitchell’s take on Barkley’s brutal honesty? He simply doesn’t care. When asked about it, Mitchell told Cleveland.com, “Who gives a f,?” Yeah, you read that right. He made it clear that Barkley isn’t in their locker room and his comments, whether positive or negative, aren’t doing anything for the team. Mitchell did throw in that he has “nothing but respect” for the “Inside the NBA” crew, but his focus is squarely on his teammates. It’s “all about us in here,” he said, drawing a line in the sand between the team and the outside noise. Mitchell backed up that confidence after Wednesday’s game, where he dropped 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out six assists, helping the Cavs hold off a Knicks comeback at Madison Square Garden for a much-needed victory.
The Cavs have proven they can dominate in the regular season, that’s not the issue here. Barkley’s point is sharp: it’s going to take a much deeper playoff run to truly win over critics, especially an MVP like him. For now, Mitchell and the squad are looking inward, trying to find that consistency and prove they’re built for more than just early-season flashes. Can they keep that “us against the world” mentality going and silence the doubters? We’ll be watching to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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