Charles Barkley on Rockets: ‘I don’t think about them at all’

Charles Barkley did not need a long scouting report on the Rockets.

In an interview with Casino Guru’s Kyle Odegard, Barkley was asked what he thinks of Houston heading into the season.

“I don’t think about them at all,” Barkley said. “… They’re not any good. They’ve got no leadership and they don’t have a style of play.”

Barkley, who finished his career with the Rockets, was just as blunt about the West. He does not see Houston in the conversation.

“It’s over with,” he told Odegard. “It’s all about OKC and San Antonio for the next few years in the West.”

Nor does he buy the idea that the Spurs are running away with it.

“OKC is right there,” Barkley said. “They didn’t have their second-best player (Jalen Williams) and they still took them seven games.”

His longer view stayed the same. “It’s going to be between those two teams the next five years, easily,” he added.

Barkley still likes Victor Wembanyama. He just didn’t love the way last season ended.

“I love Wemby,” he said. “I was disappointed with the way he finished the Finals, the way he disrespected the press and not congratulating the winners. But I think he’s a great kid and he’s got a great future.”

Meanwhile, the Rockets can keep building. Barkley is not waiting around to watch it.