As the 2024-25 NBA season winds down, the playoff picture is taking shape, with the race for the championship heating up. While many eyes remain fixated on the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors following their blockbuster trade deadline acquisitions of Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler, TNT analyst Charles Barkley has made it clear that the real story lies elsewhere, specifically in Cleveland and Oklahoma City.

Charles Barkley predicts the Eastern Conference Finals winner

During a recent segment on Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley made a bold prediction regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers, who currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference. The NBA Hall of Famer did not hold back as he declared them the favorites to win the conference and advance to the NBA Finals.
“Man, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to the finals,” Barkley said. “The Celtics, that’s going to be a great series if they play the Celtics. But right now, I’m telling y’all, and I told you to book it last week. The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to the NBA Finals.”
The Cavaliers’ dominance this season has been undeniable. As the only team in the NBA with three All-Stars— Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland— Cleveland has emerged as an offensive powerhouse. They are averaging a league-best 123.1 points per game. Their defense, anchored by Mobley and Jarrett Allen, has been just as formidable. Their playoff spot is already secured.
However, while the Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder— who currently lead the Western Conference— continue their dominant seasons, Barkley took issue with the lack of media coverage they are receiving compared to the Lakers and Warriors. He directly called out ESPN for its fixation on the two storied franchises, arguing that smaller-market teams are being unfairly overlooked.
“The Lakers are doing great,” Barkley said. “Got a long way to go. But the reason the season’s been going great is the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Y’all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers. They’re both doing great, don’t get me wrong. If I turn out to be wrong, I got no problem with that. But y’all are idiots cause y’all talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time.”
Barkley further asserted that the league’s best teams deserve more attention than they’re getting.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 12 straight games,” he continued. “Oklahoma City got the MVP and they are on fire. Y’all are talking about who’s in second place. That’s the reason I get pissed.”
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It is no secret that the Cavaliers have been one of the most underrated teams in the league despite standing on the top of the Eastern Conference standing with a solid 52-game winning stats, losing only 10 games this season.