“Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for indefinite period of time to start the NBA season.” Just a few days before the season started, Shams Charania reported the grim news to the Clippers’ fan base. It was enough for Charles Barkley to form an opinion on the 33-year-old. Once, Chuck was on board with the Leonard hype train and was ready to build a team around the forward. That’s why a former teammate of the 2x NBA Champion had no issues in placing him in his starting 5.

“I gotta go Dame, KD, Kawhi, and then like Tim and myself.” During their time in Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge, who shared the court with the 2x Finals MVP, spoke to Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles. But the decision wasn’t an easy one. “I’m kind of stuck because when you play with three Hall of Famers, they got to make it. I play with Tony Parker in there, I play with Manu and I play with Tim, so that’s three spots if you going off straight winning and ability.”

Despite Leonard’s accomplishment, Charles Barkley left him out of his current top 50 players. Kenny Smith placed him at 15, while Shaquille O’Neal ranked the 6x All-Star 29th. “I’m going to stop it Chuck, you just disrespecting people.” Shaq was not happy with his best friend’s ranking, but the 76ers legend had his reasoning.

“Dude, he ain’t played in three years.” But the host of the show, Ernie Johnson, corrected Charles Barkley and pointed out that Leonard played in 68 games last season. However, Chuck was still set on his point and stated that the forward missed playoffs because of injuries. “The best ability is availability.” And when the Clippers star was available, Sir Charles was his biggest fan.

Charles Barkley had high hopes for Kawhi Leonard

Just 4 years ago, during the bubble playoff season, the Clippers were a dominant team in the West. “If Kawhi is able to win his third MVP in the Finals, he might be right behind LeBron,” Barkley said on Mike Greenberg’s show. However, they lost in the Conference Semifinals after being ahead 3-1 in the series. But that’s not the only instance of Charles Barkley being an avid supporter.

“Kawhi Leonard is the best basketball player in the world in my opinion.” During the 15-16 season, Sir Charles was enamored by the then 24-year-old Leonard. Chuck further added that Steph Curry is the best offensive player and even praised LeBron as the best player for the last 10 years. “But at his age, I’d take Kawhi Leonard over any basketball player in the world right now.”

Those views from Charles Barkley were also on the TNT Show, and in the span of 8 years, because of injuries, Kawhi Leonard didn’t find a place on Chuck’s list. However, Leonard’s former teammate, Aldridge, played 163 games together. That’s why he rated him high on the Knuckleheads Podcast, despite playing alongside many greats like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and others.