Charles Barkley has a soft spot for the Phoenix Suns, having played for the franchise from 1992 to 1996. Sir Charles had his best years in the NBA with the Suns and even won the 1993 MVP award as he led the team to the NBA Finals that year. He still lives in the city and has been a supporter of the Suns on Inside the NBA.
He, just like every other Suns fan, watched in utter disbelief as the team completely collapsed in Game 7, and the rest of the crew led by Shaquille O'Neal, had some fun at his expense, as a disappointed Barkley just shook his head:
"I have one more thing to say to Chuck, 'The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas'"
Barkley then responded with "I'm in shock," "I never would have saw this coming. This is just embarrassing man ... In my wildest dreams, I never thought this would happen."
We are with you there Chuck, no one would have seen this coming! The Dallas Mavericks simply annihilated the top-seeded Suns 123-90 in Game 7 and will now advance to the Western Conference Finals.
It was a stunning defeat that shook the NBA world and Barkley could just watch on in disappointment as the Suns withered under the pressure of a do-or-die game. They will now lick their wounds and hope to bounce back next season, but there is a lot of uncertainty around the franchise now.
DeAndre Ayton might not be back as the team has held back on offering him a max contract and coach Monty Williams' comments after the game did not offer much encouragement on the matter. Chris Paul is only getting older and they are also set to lose some of their role players who did so well this season. This might just have been their best chance, and they blew it.
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