Barkley calls out Wembanyama: “He disappointed me”. Then dismisses the Rockets

Charles Barkley sees the future of the Western Conference as already mapped out: Thunder and Spurs ahead of everyone else. And according to the Suns legend, it’s not just about next season. Thunder and Spurs could battle for control of the West for quite some time, while Houston, at least for now, doesn’t appear to be part of his plans.

Speaking with Kyle Odegard of Casino Guru News, Barkley didn’t mince words when asked what he thought of the Rockets, one of his former teams.

I don’t think about them at all. They’re not good enough. They don’t have leadership and they don’t have an identity

Charles Barkley

Strong words, especially considering the roster Houston has assembled, where Kevin Durant has to fit alongside a young group featuring Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., among others.

For Barkley, however, the real race in the Western Conference has already become a two-team affair.

It’s over. For the next few years in the West, it’s going to be all about Oklahoma City and San Antonio

Charles Barkley

And Chuck isn’t talking only about the 2026-27 NBA season.

For the next five years, it’ll be between these two teams, easily

Charles Barkley

Barkley criticizes Wembanyama after the Finals

His strong belief in the Spurs didn’t stop him from sending a message to Victor Wembanyama.

San Antonio was coming off a 62-win season and a Playoff run that ended only in the NBA Finals against the Knicks. After the Game 5 loss, however, Wemby and some of his teammates left the court without stopping to congratulate New York, a behavior that sparked discussion.

Barkley hasn’t forgotten it.

I love Wemby. I was disappointed by the way he finished the Finals, by the way he disrespected the media and by the fact that he didn’t congratulate the winners. But I think he’s a great kid and has a great future ahead of him

Charles Barkley

That criticism, however, doesn’t change what Barkley thinks of the Frenchman as a player. In fact, Wembanyama’s growth is one of the reasons he sees San Antonio remaining at the top of the Conference.

On the other side is OKC, the 2025 NBA champion coming off a 64-win regular season. Even after being eliminated by the Spurs, Barkley still considers them the primary reference point alongside San Antonio.

OKC is still there. They didn’t have their second-best player, Jalen Williams, and they still made it to Game 7

Charles Barkley

Wemby gets a telling-off, but also quite the endorsement. Barkley sees the Spurs and Thunder ahead of everyone else for the next few years, while Houston remains outside the conversation. At least until Durant and company prove otherwise.