Charles Barkley Didn't Hesitate When Predicting Winner of NBA Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated May 22, 2025 8:13 AM ET

NBA legend Charles Barkley is convinced that one team has really cemented itself as the best in the league.

There are only four teams remaining in the NBA playoffs: the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. Among them, Barkley expressed his belief that OKC has really stood out, both in terms of depth and defense.

Speaking on "Inside the NBA" on Wednesday—a day after the Thunder blew out the Timberwolves and held them to under 90 points in a 114-88 win—Barkley called Oklahoma City the "best defensive team" he has ever seen.

"This is the best defensive team," Barkley said. "I give my boy Kendrick Perkins some love. He said, 'This is the best defensive team I've seen in the NBA in a long time.'"

Barkley went on to compare the Thunder to the "Bad Boy Pistons" that won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990, as well as the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls that dominated the '90s.

Chuck proceeded to claim that he doesn't see anyone beating the Thunder in the NBA Finals.

"This is the deepest team in the NBA, and I told you a while back, they are gonna win the NBA championship," Barkley said confidently. "I have not seen any team that can beat this team."

"This is the best defensive team I've seen in the NBA in a long time."

Chuck gives OKC their flowers after their Game 1 performance pic.twitter.com/plcd1Xi4V0
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 22, 2025

As Charles Barkley said, it wasn't the first time that he shared his take. After Game 2 of Oklahoma City's series against the Denver Nuggets, the Hall of Famer made the same championship prediction, adding that the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led squad is "probably the best team in the NBA all year."

Sure enough, the Thunder's dominant win against the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals only further fueled his belief.

It remains to be seen if the Timberwolves can bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday, but until they prove that they can put up a fight against the Thunder, it's unlikely Barkley will change his mind.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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