Charles Barkley rips the Cavs: “They suck”

Charles Barkley has never been one to beat around the bush. And when it came to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he wasn’t about to mince words this time.

On Inside the NBA before the game against the New York Knicks, the former NBA star delivered a blunt verdict on Cleveland. The reason? The Cavs keep relying on the same players despite their recent playoff disappointments.

And to think that just a few months ago, Barkley saw the Cavaliers as potential title contenders.

Barkley on the Cavaliers: “They suck”

It started with Chris Webber describing Cleveland as a team that had gotten a little old and lacked energy. That was far too diplomatic for Barkley, who got right to the point.

Webber’s trying to be politically correct. Guys, the Cavaliers suck

Charles Barkley

A surprised Kenny Smith asked if Barkley really thought Cleveland was that bad.

They suck?

Kenny Smith

When Smith reminded him that just six months earlier he’d called them a title contender, Barkley stood by his assessment and explained why he’d changed his mind.

We’ve seen the same thing for three years. A couple of seasons ago, they were the top seed, they had home-court advantage and they went out early. Last year, they were up 22 and didn’t win another game. You can’t bring back the same team and expect a different result. That’s insanity

Charles Barkley

Barkley’s point is simple: Cleveland should have made a significant change over the summer instead of bringing back essentially the same group.

“Mitchell should be the first option, then Mobley and Allen”

Barkley’s criticism goes beyond the front office. He also thinks the Cavaliers need to rethink how they run their offense.

And he knows exactly who should get the shots.

Here’s how this team should work: Donovan Mitchell, you’ve got the green light. You’re our best player. Then we use the two bigs as our second and third options

Charles Barkley

Barkley sees James Harden in a different role, setting up the offense more than looking to score.

James, we don’t care how many shots you take. Kenny said it: at this point in your career, you’re better as a passer. Mitchell, Mobley and Jarrett Allen have to be your top three guys. If they aren’t, you’re not going to win

Charles Barkley

Then he went back to the decision to keep the roster intact.

They should’ve blown this team up. This is the third straight year they’ve put up a good record and thought they’d get a different result. It’s not going to happen. That’s why they suck

Charles Barkley

Barkley: “They don’t make enough use of their bigs”

During the discussion, Kenny Smith also questioned how Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen fit together, particularly given their limitations as outside shooters and perimeter defenders.

Barkley disagreed. To him, the problem is how little Cleveland makes use of two big men that good.

I think Mobley can guard a small forward just fine, and Allen can do his part. The problem is they don’t use their size. Being big doesn’t do you any good if they never give you the ball

Charles Barkley

He offered a specific example.

Look at their numbers. One night they’ll score 20, 25, 26 points, and the next they’ll have 10 or even three. Hold on a second. These are two really talented players

Charles Barkley

The Suns legend thinks Cleveland needs a coach who’ll set firmer limits and make it clear who should be taking the shots.

Donovan can shoot whenever he wants. For everybody else, the coach has to make it clear. Some guys have a green light, others have a yellow or a red. They can’t all go out there and shoot whenever they feel like it

Charles Barkley

It was a sweeping takedown, from the front office’s roster decisions to the pecking order on offense and how the players are used.

And knowing Barkley, a couple of wins probably won’t change his mind. To convince him, the Cavaliers will likely have to do what they haven’t managed in recent years: prove they can win when it really counts.