NBA Great Admits Love For Former Bruins Star Brad Marchand

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA, but the 1993 MVP is an avid hockey fan, dating back to his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The outspoken Barkley joined former NHL player turned analyst Paul Bissonette and actor Will Arnett during TNT’s alt cast Thursday night for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes and revealed his admiration for former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand during the broadcast.

“That guy right there, I love watching Marchand,” Barkley said. “He’s one of those guys you would love to play with. I have nothing but admiration and respect for him.”

Marchand played 1,090 games across 16 seasons with the Bruins. He amassed 422 goals and 556 assists before being traded to the Panthers on March 7, the NHL trade deadline. Marchand has three goals and nine assists in 13 playoff games for Florida since the move.

Ironically, Barkley then revealed one Hurricanes defenseman he doesn’t like at all, and it has nothing to do with his play on the ice.

“And let me tell you something. I hate Seth Jones. I really do,” Barkley added. “I played in the NBA for all those years his dad was the only person who kicked my ass all the time.

“(Larry) Bird was great, (Kevin) McHale was great, Karl Malone was great, (Kevin) Garnett, all those guys. I could hold my own against those guys. I never had any success against Popeye Jones. And to this day, I have no idea why. So I will always hate Seth Jones because of his dad.”

Barkley’s prediction that the Toronto Maple Leafs would face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final has been busted with the Panthers sending the Leafs packing. In fact, all of Barkley’s picks, except for the Oilers defeating the Vegas Golden Knights, have been wrong. He did, however, pick Edmonton to win it all.

“I’m gonna tell you why I’m taking the Oilers,” Barkley said on NHL on TNT at the beginning of the postseason. “Two years ago, the Florida Panthers lost, came back and won it. Oilers lost last year, they’re gonna come back and win it this year. Same scenario.”

The Dallas Stars lead the Western Conference Final 1-0 over the Oilers, with Game 2 on Friday night.