Charles Barkley puts Spurs above everyone: ‘The team to beat’

Charles Barkley has seen enough to pick a favorite. And his endorsement of the Spurs extends well beyond the Western Conference.

“The Spurs are the team to beat,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA, via Santino Honasan of Basketball Network.

San Antonio has given him plenty to support that argument. After losing their first two games, the Spurs have won 10 straight, including Wednesday’s 124-119 comeback victory over the Bulls.

Victor Wembanyama delivered 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Dylan Harper added 18 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and four steals. The Spurs erased a 22-point deficit along the way.

Barkley’s assessment also reflects what’s happening elsewhere, particularly with the injury-depleted Thunder.

“Honestly, unless OKC makes a trade or something, I don’t see any team that’s in [the Spurs’] league right now, East or West,” he said. “They are the best team, I thought it was OKC, but now with the injuries, it is the Spurs’ thing to win now.”

That’s a considerable declaration in November. The Thunder’s injuries to Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace have changed the immediate picture, but there’s a long way between winning streaks now and winning four playoff rounds.

Still, San Antonio has already shown it can get close. Kenny Smith believes last season’s Finals loss to the Knicks could help the Spurs finish the job.

“I think last year, the Knicks shocked them on games that they typically would have won against most people,” Smith said. “The Knicks did not cave in, and I thought they were shocked.”

Smith expects a response.

“I think that championship loss is going to motivate them and get them back there again this year,” he added.

With Wembanyama anchoring both ends and Harper, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox providing options around him, the Spurs have plenty of ways to win. Wednesday showed they can do it even after putting themselves in a considerable hole.

Barkley is ready to put them ahead of the field. Ten straight wins make that a reasonable conversation, even if the separation isn’t as clear-cut as he suggests.

More Hoops: NBA exec says Thunder ‘never have to panic’ despite mounting injuries