Barkley likes Sixers' chances — when they finally start up again

Charles Barkley attends the 2019 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, CA.
Photo credit Lionel Hahn/Abaca/Sipa USA
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Sixers legend Charles Barkley says he likes the team's chances when the NBA hopes to resume its season.

"I would not want to play the 76ers in the playoffs," he said.

The Sixers were Barkley’s preseason pick to win the Eastern Conference. Sir Charles was vocally disappointed with their underachievement as the season was happening.

But after what will more than a four-month hiatus, Barkley told NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Sixers are a sleeper team in the East if play resumes in Disney World.

"They gonna have the two best players on the court in every series, except against the Milwaukee Bucks," he said.

Charles Barkley says “hell yeah” the Sixers can win the 2020 NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/aj4RtdpVGt

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 24, 2020

Barkley is basing his confidence on Ben Simmons having had a chance to get his back healthy — and Joel Embiid’s potential, if he’s in shape.

"If those two guys are healthy, Sixers got a good chance."

The plan is for team training to start ramping up next week — with games resuming at the end of July.