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NEW YORK, USA – FEBRUARY 5 : Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry seen ahead of the NBA match between Golden Gate Warriors and Brooklyn Nets held on February 05, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

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NEW YORK, USA – FEBRUARY 5 : Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry seen ahead of the NBA match between Golden Gate Warriors and Brooklyn Nets held on February 05, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The 2020-21 NBA season is up and truly underway now. The first week just passed by and NBA critics are already reaching different conclusions. Will the Lakers repeat? Can the Bucks reach the Finals? Which teams are not going to make the Playoffs? The popular ‘Inside the NBA’ crew were discussing the latter.
On the teams not making the Playoffs, Shaquille O’Neal named the Golden State Warriors!
While they are missing Klay Thompson for the entire season, they still have Steph Curry pulling the strings. Even though they are not a legitimate title contender, fans still expect them to reach the post-season.
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Dec 22, 2020; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Kent Bazemore (26) fights for a loose ball against Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant (7) and point guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Hence, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith disagreed – “When Draymond comes back, they are going to be in the conversation.”
Another team that popped up in the conversation was the Memphis Grizzlies. Their talisman Ja Morant is out injured, and it could severely hamper their chances.
“If he missed three to five weeks, they could be out of it,” said Barkley.
While he also crossed out several other teams from the Eastern Conference for making the Playoffs – “Detroit, Chicago, and Charlotte are not going to make the playoffs this year.”
Barkley is not surprised by Phoenix Suns’ form

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10 April 2019, US, Dallas: Basketball: NBA; Main Round; 81st Matchday; Dallas Mavericks – Phoenix Suns at Amercian Airlines Center. Legendary meeting on the occasion of Dirk Nowitzkis last home game of his career. This is Charles Barkley speaking to Dirk Nowitzki. Photo: Philipp Hülsmann/dpa (Photo by Philipp Hülsmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)
When discussing the most surprising team of the season so far, Ernie listed the Orlando Magic (4-0), Atlanta Hawks (3-0), Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1), and the Phoenix Suns (3-1). However, Charles remarked, “Only 3 of those are surprises.”
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“When you bring in Chris Paul, you expect to do better. But nobody expected the Cavs, the Magic, and the Hawks to be 3-0 and 4-0. Cos when you bring in a great leader like Chris Paul to go with Booker and Ayton. And then you bring in Jae Crowder, they are supposed to be good and make the Playoffs.”
But can the Golden State Warriors make the Playoffs?
The answer is – yes, they can. Even though they had a shaky start, it is too early to make any judgments. Also, they have come back to merry ways by winning their previous two closely contested encounters. Not to forget, they did this all the while missing Green.
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts against the Milwaukee Bucks during a NBA game at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Another thing to note is that the likes of Kelly Oubre Jr and Andrew Wiggins are struggling right now, while rookie James Wiseman is still finding his feet. If all the pieces come together, they may not just make the Playoffs but surprise a few people beyond that too.
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