NBA legend Charles Barkley has dismissed claims that the Oklahoma City Thunder are playing dirty against San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama.
The former MVP rejected the “poor Wemby” narrative, saying the in-game contact and the fouls on the French center are the softest he has ever seen in his career.
Charles Barkley Slams the ‘Poor Wemby’ Narrative in the Thunder-Spurs Series
The narrative of the Western Conference Finals series between Oklahoma City and San Antonio has centered on the Thunder’s strategy to neutralize the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 center, who poured in 41 points and 24 rebounds in Game 1, helping his team secure a 122-115 double-overtime victory.
Oklahoma City adjusted in the next two games, with head coach Mark Daigneault instructing Isaiah Hartenstein to clamp down on Wembanyama and play him physically in the paint.
The strategy has paid dividends for the Thunder, limiting Wembanyama to 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds and giving Oklahoma City a 2-1 lead.
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Some pundits and experts felt that Oklahoma City’s strategy of being physical with Wembanyama went too far, as referees let the Thunder’s physicality against the Spurs’ big man go unchecked.
In Saturday’s episode of “Inside the NBA,” Barkley slammed the comments about the physicality Oklahoma City is using against Wembanyama, and denied that the Thunder are playing dirty.
“I think we need to all pray for Wemby cause he can’t play too many minutes, they are going to kill him out there… These people, they are pissing me off. I’m watching the whole game. They (OKC) ain’t playing dirty, and I’m like: ‘These are some of the softest fouls I’ve ever seen in my life,'” Barkley said.
“You got these clowns on TV talking about: ‘They are gonna hurt poor Wemby,’ I was like: ‘Hurt him? Are you really kidding, man?’ It drives me crazy watching these shows,” Barkley added.
Aside from using physicality in the post, the Thunder have also closed in on Wembanyama’s space, making it difficult for him to get an easy entry pass down low. They essentially forced the Spurs into rash decisions, anticipating a possible Thunder fast break if their play broke down.
While Wembanyama is still putting up decent production after his Game 1 masterclass, Oklahoma City has made it a point to make it hard for the lanky center to get the ball.
Having an extra body on the Frenchman has also minimized the lobs, quick seals, and clean touches near the rim, forcing the rest of the Spurs to take it upon themselves.
The Spurs hope to change the narrative in Game 4 on Sunday night at the Frost Bank Center.
San Antonio will hope to tie the series, with Wembanyama and the rest of the team making adjustments to prevent another grinding encounter that favors the Thunder.
