'Act like they're the smartest dude'—NBA analyst Charles Barkley blasts OKC Thunder's head coach Mark Daigneault for lineup shifts during 2025 NBA Finals
Charles Barkley via Getty Images
After winning Game 1, tying up in the second, and losing in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers, the Oklahoma City Thunder has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Thunder is under scrutiny for their poor performance in two consecutive games during the 2025 NBA Finals.
With all the cameras being diverted to the Oklahoma City Thunder, their head coach, Mark Daigneault, has become the hotbed of discussion. Recently, reputed NBA analyst
Charles Barkley
fired up Mark Daigneault for his so-called strategic moves in the OKC Thunder's lineup.
Charles Barkley criticized OKC Thunder's head coach Mark Daigneault for his lineup shifts
As the Indiana Pacers dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Mark Daigneault has been under the scanner. He has become the talk of the town all thanks to his strategic moves in the team's lineup during the final games.
However, the changes initiated by Thunder's head coach Daigneault showed their effect the first game, but things started falling apart from the second game.
During a recent appearance on the widely watched show NBA TV, Barkley expressed his concerns with respect to the spiraling performance of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He mentioned that Thunder should focus on what is actually falling apart in the team. He even called out head coach Mark Daigneault after Game 3. Barkley stated,
'When I was sitting home watching Game 1, I'm like, holy smoly, what are these guys doing? I hate to be redundant—I'm like, if I got the best team in the world, I'm not changing anything.
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We're in the NBA Finals. We have been the best team in the NBA all year.'
While criticizing the recent move by Thunder's head coach, Barkley said,
'They have the best bench in the NBA, and they're getting outplayed. And that's been the difference in the series so far. It takes guys out of their roles, but you know, some of these guys, they think they're damn Red Auerbach out there and act like they're the smartest dude in the room.
I just think it was a mistake. You are who you are. Don't change. You're in the finals. They've been the best team in the NBA all year.'
According to Charles Barkley Mark Daigneault's decision to change the lineup was a grave mistake, and with a tie and a loss against the Indiana Pacers, the Thunder's head coach's lead changes have diverted the spotlight. Reportedly, based on the changes made by Daigneault, Cason Wallace was selected to start instead of Isaiah Hartenstein in all three games of the 2025 NBA Finals.
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