Charles Barkley on Nets, 'They're not good'

Charles Barkley was on Mike & Mike this morning talking NBA and the topic of the underwhelming Nets came up.

Barkley praised the Nets front office for the job they did in constructing the pricey roster in October. He also believed that they would be able to contend for a championship, noting that they were one of the four elite teams in the East along with the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls.

However, this morning on the radio, Barkley had a different view of the Nets. "I don't think they're (Nets) any good at all," Barkley said. "You only have two teams in the East. You have the Heat and you have the Pacers. I actually think the Washington Wizards are the third best team in the Eastern Conference, but listen, it's the Heat and the Pacers."

He also suggested that Deron Williams is on the downside of his career at age 28.

"Deron Williams has been hurt a lot the last couple of years," Barkley said. "He’s never going to get back to Utah. His best days are behind him."

A lot has changed since October in Barkley's eyes, clearly. The Nets have played way below what was expected of them this season, with a record of 20-25, but has been resurgent in 2014, going 10-3 in January. Although, Barkley still isn't impressed with Brooklyn and seems to think it may be just a hot streak.

• Charles Barkley slams the Nets: "They're just beating up on a bunch of ugly chicks." - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
• Charles Barkley: ‘The Nets stink, man’ - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Charles Barkley on Deron Williams: “His best days are behind him” - Andy Vasquez - The Record