Since the beginning of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, many Spurs fans have been criticizing the extremely physical defense of Isaiah Hartenstein on Victor Wembanyama. But apparently, Charles Barkley thinks it’s all a bit exaggerated.
On the TNT set, the former MVP didn’t hold back in commenting on the actions around Game 2.
“I have a complaint to make, Ernie. All of you at home and on television saying they were physical with Wemby… you need to stop. I’ve received stronger kisses than that,” Barkley quipped.
And Barkley continued in his typical Barkley style.
“Yes, he was putting his body on him. But that little thing he was doing, Hartenstein… I love Hartenstein, but he was just matching his body to Wemby. It wasn’t overly aggressive. He wasn’t hitting him. There were no excessive fouls. Those who think that’s real physicality, you need to stop,” he added.
For several days, many Spurs supporters have felt that Oklahoma City has been benefiting from huge referee tolerance, especially on off-the-ball contacts or sequences where Wembanyama is held in the paint. But Barkley clearly refuses to enter this debate. According to him, the main player involved doesn’t seem to be bothered at all.
“Wemby doesn’t complain. He just says, ‘OK, you want to play like that? Okay, I can play like that too.’ It’s mostly the fans who complain,” Barkley explained.
Honestly, it’s difficult to say that Wembanyama seems physically intimidated in this series. Even in Game 2, where the Thunder tightened their defense around him with Hartenstein, the Frenchman still ended up with 21 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. But Barkley specifically pointed out another issue for the Spurs: turnovers. He particularly singled out Stephon Castle.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. A guy who can be so dominant when he has the ball… but continues to turn it over so much. Stephon Castle. 20 turnovers in two games. It’s crazy. Because when he doesn’t turn it over, they can’t defend him,” Barkley remarked.
In this case, we agree with Chuck… The series is now tied at 1-1 before returning to Texas, with several key players announced as uncertain, including De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper for the Spurs. And given the level of tension reached after just two games, this conference finals is seriously becoming intense.
Spurs fans are furious after Isaiah Hartenstein’s dirty move on Stephon Castle.
