Things aren’t looking good for Stephen Curry or the Warriors. And Shaquille O’Neal, with much difficulty, also had to agree with his fellow TNT host, Charles Barkley, that there might indeed be no hope any longer for the Dubs. For Shaq to even think, let alone put it out there, says a lot, given his obvious and ardent admiration for the Splash Bro. So, what exactly were his words?

As the three of the Inside crew went back and forth with their arguments about the end or rebuild of Golden State, all Shaq did was sit and watch. Until Big Diesel decided it was time for his input, as well. And suffice it to say, it’s enough to worry a lot of people.

“Kevin, you had a two-year run. I had a three-year run. They had a three-year run,” he started, calmly preparing himself to deliver the verdict. “I am not saying it’s over, but I think I have to agree with Chuck. The window is right here,” he noted, holding his thumb and index finger excruciatingly close, with the tiniest of gaps between them, indicating what he believes to be the chance Stephen Curry & Co. has now.

O’Neal further added that the Warriors are “not gonna trade Steph” either, so there really isn’t anything the Dubs can offer without incurring a heavy loss in the process. Especially if they have any plans of getting another superstar to help their 4x champion.

Even that is a risky proposition, as it would likely require sacrificing key young assets and future draft capital, which the franchise has been hesitant to do, as seen in the reported Lauri Markkanen pursuit, potentially jeopardizing GSW‘ long-term competitiveness. And as for Barkley, this isn’t the first time he has repeated that the Warriors aren’t the contenders we are hoping they would be anymore.

Charles Barkley claims “there’s nothing you can do” to save Stephen Curry & Co.

Early October saw Chuck make a brutal proclamation about the Warriors (Lakers, too). In his appearance on the Jim Jackson Show, the Hall of Famer stated that they are, at best, play-in candidates! “The Lakers and the Warriors are not contenders. Plain and simple,” he stated.

via Imago

Continuing the same string of thought was his claims this time, too. When Kenny Smith asked the ‘Diesel’ what he would do if he were management personnel for Golden State, Barkley immediately answered. “There’s nothing you can do! They had a great run. Let it go,” he replied, Shaquille O’Neal agreeing again.

Barkley’s blunt response underscores his belief that the Warriors’ era of dominance has passed, and any attempt to recapture it would be futile. Shaq’s agreement added weight to the sentiment, signaling that even two of the game’s biggest personalities see no clear path forward for the Golden State dynasty.