Why Charles Barkley thinks the NBA is screwing Nikola Jokic

This has not been Nikola Jokic’s finest hour, but according to Charles Barkley, the NBA has not done the Nuggets superstar any favors.The three-time MVP has struggled over the last three games, including Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Thunder, which tied their second-round playoff series 2-2.But Barkley, the TNT analyst, feels the NBA did Denver dirty by scheduling them for a Sunday afternoon game (1:30 p.m.MST) after they played Friday night (8 p.m.

MST).“I thought what the NBA did to [the Nuggets] was unfair,” Barkley said on the air Sunday, as captured by Awful Announcing.“Making them play late Friday night, then an early afternoon game.

I thought that was unfair, I truly believe that.”Kenny Smith interjected to say both teams had to deal with the same situation.“Yeah, but [the Thunder] have more depth.OKC got 12 players,” Barkley replied.

“Denver has never addressed their backup center situation or their bench.I think that’s one of the things that hurt them last year, because he gave out of gas last year against Rudy [Gobert] and big KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns].

So I don’t think it’s fair to blame everything on the Joker, but he has not played well and I think he’s wearing down.”Barkley was referencing the Nuggets’ seven-game, second-round loss to the Timberwolves in last year’s playoffs.Jokic, 30, shot just 7-for-22, including 2-for-8 from deep, in Denver’s 92-87 loss on Sunday, though he still finished with 27 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.He made just 8 of 25 shots in the Nuggets’ Game 3 overtime win and was 6 of 16 in their Game 2 loss.That came after Jokic was 15-for-29 with 42 points and 22 rebounds as Denver stole Game 1 on the road.Jokic had another MVP-like regular season, averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career and setting career-highs with averages of 29.6 points and 10.2 assists, adding 12.7 rebounds per game.He also shot a career-best 41.7 percent from 3-point range.During Denver’s seven-...