Barkley debunks defense complaints about Wembanyama

Since the start of the Western Conference final between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, many Spurs fans have denounced the extremely physical defense ofIsaiah Hartenstein on Victor Wembanyama. But obviously, Charles Barkley finds all this frankly exaggerated.

On the TNT set, the former MVP didn’t really wear gloves when commenting on the reactions around Game 2.

« I have a complaint, Ernie. All of you at home and on TV saying they were physical with Wemby… it needs to stop. I’ve already received kisses stronger than that. »

And Barkley continued in his very Barkley style.

« Yes, he was putting his body on him. But this little thing he was doing, Hartenstein… I love Hartenstein, but he was just opposing with his body at Wemby. It wasn’t overly aggressive. He didn’t hit him. There were no excessive fouls. Anyone who thinks this is real physicality, you need to stop. »

For several days, many Spurs supporters have nevertheless believed that Oklahoma City benefits from enormous refereeing tolerance, particularly on contacts away from the ball or sequences where Wembanyama is hooked in the racket. But Barkley clearly refuses to enter into this debate. And above all, according to him, the first concerned does not seem at all disturbed.

« Wemby isn’t complaining. He just said to himself: “OK, you want to play like this? Very good, I can play like that too.†It’s mostly the fans who complain. »

Honestly, it’s hard to say that Wembanyama seems physically intimidated in this series. Even during Game 2, where the Thunder further densified its defense around him with Hartenstein, the Frenchman still finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. But Barkley especially insisted on another problem on the Spurs side: turnovers. And he particularly targeted Stephon Castle.

« I’ve never seen that. A guy who can be so dominant when he has the ball… but still lose it. Stephone Castle. 20 lost balls in two matches. It’s crazy. Because when he doesn’t lose the ball, they are unable to defend him. »

For now, we agree with Chuck… The series is now 1-1 before the return to Texas, with several important players announced as uncertain, including De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper on the Spurs side. And given the level of tension already reached after only two matches, this conference final is seriously starting to get pretty damn spicy.

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