Home

NBA

“Easiest Bet I Ever Made”: Despite Jimmy Butler Having an Upper Hand, Charles Barkley Discredits the Heat Just to Make a Bold Claim

Published 05/27/2023, 8:18 AM EDT

Follow Us

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is making headlines again with one of his opinions. Barkley confidently picked the Celtics as the potential winners in the series between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Let’s look at his reasoning and thought process behind this claim.

Jimmy Butler Denied by Charles Barkley

In a recent appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Charles Barkley reiterated his bold claim. He picked the Boston Celtics as the winners of the Eastern Conference Finals. Barkley went on to say that this is the “Easiest Bet I Ever Made”. His assertion primarily hinges on his belief that the Celtics have the better team, despite the Miami Heat having a star player like Jimmy Butler.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

USA Today via Reuters

He acknowledges Butler’s talent but points out that when the Celtics play at their best; they outshine the Heat. According to Barkley, “the Celtics have been plagued by occasional lapses in their gameplay“, which have cost them crucial matches. However, he remains firm in his conviction that the Celtics’ superior skill set should prevail in the series.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

One key factor Barkley highlights is the Celtics’ ability to perform well under pressure. He mentioned their tendency to excel when things are going their way, but also emphasized the need for them to adapt and win even when their three-point shooting is off. Barkley believes that mental toughness and the willingness to hustle in defense are essential qualities that can set the Celtics apart and lead them to victory.

Biased Opinion?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Interestingly, Barkley’s prediction seems to stem from a combination of admiration for the Celtics’ potential and a desire to see them tested in different ways. He expressed curiosity about how much the team can rely solely on their three-point shooting. Barkley even welcomes the prospect of them struggling with their shooting, as it would reveal their mental fortitude and resilience.

Also Read: Amid Playoffs Triumph 34YO All-Star Dismisses Troubling Jayson Tatum’s Celtics News: ‘That Stuff Never Waned’

Even though Barkley acknowledged Jayson Tatum‘s exceptional skills, he firmly declared Jimmy Butler as his ultimate pick to be in the trenches together. In Barkley’s eyes, Butler’s unmatched toughness and unwavering determination are the invaluable qualities needed to thrive under intense pressure.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: Hours After NBA Slapped Jimmy Butler With 25k Fine Shakira and Gerard Piques Son Shows Support as Celtics Embarrass Heat at Home

As the conversation took a lighthearted turn, Barkley emphasized the positive impact losing weight has had on his physical well-being and urged others to prioritize their health as well. However, some might say that Charles Barkley’s prediction of the Boston Celtics winning the series against the Miami Heat is bold. Nevertheless, it seems that Barkley has a complete belief in the Celtics’ overall talent and potential. While acknowledging the impressive performance of Jimmy Butler, Barkley places his faith in the Celtics’ ability to rise to the occasion and overcome their occasional lapses. As the series unfolds, only time will tell if Barkley’s prediction holds true or not.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Yusuf Khan

295Articles

One take at a time

Yusuf is an NBA content writer at EssentiallySports. Yusuf has been an NBA fanatic since his childhood days. NBA experts such as Chris Haynes and Shams Charania are his go-to sources to stay updated about all the inside scoops from the hoop world.
Show More>

Edited by:

Debmallya Chakraborty