Charles Barkley is done with the Pelicans and doesn't want to send them to Cancun: "Drive your a** down to Galveston"
The New Orleans Pelicans supposedly had what some pundits claim is one of the easiest paths to the Western Conference semifinals when they drew the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. However, the Pelicans have fallen into a 3-0 hole, getting blown out by Oklahoma City for the second straight game.
With Game 4 played at home, New Orleans has an opportunity to stave off elimination, although Charles Barkley doesn't think the team still has any fight left in it. He even ripped the Pels and said they don't belong in Cancun for not putting up a fight against the Thunder.
"Galveston; that dirty a** water," Barkley said after Shaquille O'Neal asked him where NOP is going in the offseason. "We're not even gonna send them to Cancun. We're gonna send them to Galveston where that dirty a** water be washed up on the shore. You people think they at the beach. Y'all quit. Drive your a** down to Galveston."
Barkley shading Texas anew
It seems "Sir Charles" really doesn't like some parts of Texas. He has often mocked San Antonio, describing its women as "big," blasting the city because one of its most popular tourist spots (The Alamo) saw a lot of people killed, and calling River Walk a dirty little creek.
The next target on the Hall of Famer's list was Galveston, a coastal resort city in the state's southeastern part. Studies have shown that some of its waters hold unsafe levels of fecal matter and bacteria.
It remains to be seen if Texans will be up in arms with Barkley's statement, but they are probably already immune to his criticisms at this point.
The Pelicans are on the verge of getting swept
As the No. 8 seed, only a few people likely expected the Pels to advance to the second round. However, scoring just 85 and losing by 21 at home had folks like Barkley frustrated with the squad.
To be fair, New Orleans is missing Zion Williamson, whom Chuck praised and called a star for the first time following his 40-point explosion against the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in tournament. Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star sustained an injury during the Lakers game and didn't appear to be physically able to make an appearance in the first round.
Still, the Pelicans could at least be competitive against OKC. Instead, after their strong defensive effort held the Thunder to 94 points in the series opener, they allowed the opponent to bully them in the following contests. None among Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have been able to hit their strides, and as a result, New Orleans will likely extend its conference semifinals drought to six years.
