The Denver Nuggets lost without Nikola Jokić today, but it doesn’t sting as much as it would have. At least, not for Charles Barkley. Russell Westbrook was the highlight reel of the game, with a few outstanding plays that have fans in their feelings. Russ’s 33 minutes on the court was a “masterpiece” as Chuck had put it. With 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, it’s like seeing Westbrook in his prime Lakers era again.

He even made ‘Sir Charles’ emotional in Studio J!

Without ‘The Joker,’ Denver lost 106-118 to the defending champions Boston Celtics today. Yet Barkley heaped the praise on the star of the game. “I love me some Russell Westbrook,” Chuck said before drawing an unexpected parallel. “He reminds me of a guy I played with in Philly named Derek Smith.” 

Derek Smith played the 1989-90 season of a very short NBA career with Barkley and the 76ers. Injuries had shortened what was a promising career before he passed away unexpectedly in 1996, at the age of 34. When he was healthy, Smith was a force. Even Kenny “The Jet” Smith testified from the time they were teammates in Sacramento.

Smith’s quality that Barkley sees in Westbrook is his hard work. “If you didn’t play hard, you felt bad. He is the hardest working player I ever played with,” he said of the late Derek.

Chuck says that Westbrook inspires his teammates to play hard leading by example. “What’s amazing is that this guy’s had 22 major surgeries and he’s still the most athletic guy in his position.” After his play today, many would agree with ‘The Round Mound of Rebound’.

Where Smith and Westbrook probably differ is the latter’s undaunting athletic ability after severe injuries. “He’s not a perfect player, but all he’s owed the fans is effort,” Chuck put very accurately. It proved to Charles and many fans that the 36-year-old can still play at a high level for a long time.

Which makes his comments about the Lakers earlier even harsher.

Charles Barkley sees Russ-shaped hole in Lakers

Charles Barkley is obviously done with how the Lakers have been operating for a while. After feuding with JJ Redick over NBA ratings, he didn’t even want to see LeBron’s mid-air switch dunk replayed on TNT. And when they lost 118-97 to the Mavericks who are depleted without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Barkley ripped into their lack of athletic ability.

Right after the Lakers shockingly traded D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn, Charles Barkley called out the team for the art of deflection on Inside the NBA tonight.

“This is the same thing we’ve been saying for three or four years. They blame Frank Vogel, they blame Darvin Ham, they fired both of those guys. Then remember it was Russell Westbrook a few years ago… Last year it was D’Angelo Russell.”

He pretty bluntly said the Lakers, “stink” and lack athletic ability—the very athleticism Westbrook is showcasing in Denver right now.