Charles Barkley had a curious solution for the Atlanta Hawks after the team announced Trae Young wouldn’t play in Game 4 of the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.
The guard suffered a bone bruise in his right foot, prompting the Hawks to look for solutions ahead of a crucial game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Lou Williams started for the team but not everybody believed he was the right person to take over Trae.
Chuck was one of those who even named the best player to replace Young, only that such a player was on the other team. Barkley forgot that Jeff Teague wasn’t with the Hawks anymore and picked him to start for Nate McMillan’s team on Tuesday night.
“I would start Jeff Teague because if you start Lou Williams, I don’t see — yeah, Jeff Teague,” Barkley said. “I would start him.”
“He’s not exactly on the Atlanta Hawks’ roster,” Ernie Johnson said.
Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith saw a big opportunity to troll Barkley, naming other former guards who could replace Young.
“Who’s another guard on the Hawks?” Chuck asked.
“Kenny Smith,” Smith replied.
“Spud Webb,” Shaquille O’Neal added.
“Who’s another guard on the Hawks?”
“Kenny Smith.”
“Spud Webb.”
dying. pic.twitter.com/akenXWYtJe
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 29, 2021
Watching these guys talk basketball and roasting each other is great and every day they find new ways to entertain fans.
Jeff Teague did play for the Hawks from 2009-2016 before returning for some games last season. He’s part of the Bucks this season, so it’s understandable why Barkley thought he had a chance to start for the Atlanta.
In the end, the Hawks didn’t have big problems defeating the Bucks. Lou Williams started a playoffs game for the first time in his career and delivered. The Hawks tied the series 2-2 at home.
