NBA legend and TNT analyst Charles Barkley did not hold back his criticism of the league’s scheduling following the Denver Nuggets’ 92-87 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Barkley asserted that the NBA put the Nuggets at a significant disadvantage by scheduling the game for an early afternoon slot, less than 48 hours after their hard-fought overtime victory in Game 3 on Friday night.
“Unfair” Scheduling Under Scrutiny
Barkley, speaking on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” stated emphatically, “I thought what the NBA did to them was unfair. Making them play late Friday night and then an early afternoon game. I thought that was unfair. I truly believe that.” He argued that the quick turnaround did not allow the Nuggets sufficient time to recover from the physical and emotional toll of an overtime playoff game.
Depth Disparity Exacerbates Fatigue
While fellow analyst Kenny Smith pointed out that the Thunder faced the same scheduling constraints, Barkley countered by highlighting the difference in team depth. “OKC’s got more depth,” Barkley explained. “They’ve got 12 players they can throw out there.” He contrasted this with the Nuggets, who have relied heavily on a tighter rotation, particularly with their starters logging significant minutes.
Barkley elaborated on this point, saying, “Denver has never addressed their backup center situation or their bench. I think that’s one of the things that hurt them last year. Because he (Nikola Jokic) gave out of gas last year.” He suggested that the lack of reliable bench options further compounds the issue of fatigue for the Nuggets’ key players when faced with a compressed schedule.
Nikola Jokic Showing Signs of Wear?
Barkley also noted that Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic appeared to be showing signs of fatigue. While acknowledging that Jokic had not played up to his usual standards in recent games, Barkley suggested that the demanding schedule could be a contributing factor. “I don’t think it’s fair to blame everything on the Joker, but he has not played well, and I think he’s wearing down,” Barkley commented.
Nuggets Coach Acknowledges Fatigue, Credits Thunder
Even Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman acknowledged the fatigue factor for both teams following the intense Game 3. “I will say that I think both teams were very tired coming off an unbelievably physical overtime battle on a late Friday night,” Adelman said after the Game 4 loss. However, he refrained from blaming the schedule for the defeat, giving credit to the Thunder for their performance down the stretch. “To their credit, they were the ones to make the final run. We made mistakes late.”
Media and Fans Weigh In
Barkley’s comments resonated with many observers. Several members of the media and fans on social media also criticized the NBA’s scheduling, with some echoing Barkley’s sentiment that it unfairly disadvantaged the Nuggets. The short turnaround between Games 3 and 4, particularly after an overtime game, was a common point of contention.
With the series now tied 2-2, the Nuggets will travel to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday night. It remains to be seen whether the quick turnaround will continue to impact the Nuggets’ performance as the series progresses. However, Charles Barkley’s strong criticism has undoubtedly put the NBA’s scheduling practices under the microscope.
