LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have stopped the Toronto Raptors in their playoff tracks the past two years, winning eight of the 10 games while hardly breaking a sweat.
This year, though, one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history thinks things are different.
“These are not the same Toronto Raptors,” Charles Barkley said on TNT’s Thursday night broadcast of the Boston Celtics’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I’m telling you, DeRozan is the best kept secret — super player — in the NBA, nobody ever talks about him when they talk about great, great players.”
Barkley, long known as an advocate of the city of Toronto and all that it has to offer in terms of food and night life, then made a bold prediction about a change in the playoff script NBA fans have become accustomed to.
“We’re going to my favourite city for the NBA Finals this year!”
Reggie Miller also sang the Raptors praises and made special mention of Fred VanVleet, but didn’t have quite such lofty expectations of the team.
“Toronto, right now, is playing at a different level,” Miller said during third-quarter action. “I’m not saying they’re the favourite, I’m still going with LeBron James, but, to me, it’s more wide open than in years past when all we talked about was James getting ready to play the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.”
When informed of both views at Friday’s practice, DeMar DeRozan was quick to take Barkley’s side.
DeRozan and the Raptors will have a chance to strengthen Barkley’s belief when they play the top team in the NBA, the Houston Rockets, in their own building Friday night.
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