NBA Great admits, love for the former Bruins star Brad Marchand

The Hall of Famer Charles Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA, but the MVP from 1993 is an enthusiastic hockey fan who declines with the Philadelphia 76ers in his rookie season.

The pronounced Barkley came to the former NHL player, the analyst Paul Bissonette and actor Will Arnett, while TNT occupied TNT on Thursday evening for game 2 of the Eastern Conference between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes, his admiration for the former Boston Brad Marchand.

“This guy there, I love to watch Marchand,” said Barkley. “He is one of these guys you would like to play with. I have nothing but admiration and respect for him.”

Marchand played 1,090 games with the Bruins in 16 seasons. He collected 422 goals and 556 templates before he was traded on March 7, the NHL trade period. Marchand has had three goals and nine templates in 13 playoff games for Florida since the move.

Ironically, Barkley then revealed a defender of Hurricanes, whom he doesn't like at all, and it has nothing to do with his game on the ice.

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

“(Larry) Bird was great, (Kevin) Mchashale was great, Karl Malone was great, (Kevin) Garnett, all these types. I was able to hold my own against these boys. I never had success against Popeye Jones. And to this day I have no idea why. So I will always hate Seth Jones because of his father.”

Barkley's prediction that the Toronto Maple Leafs would look the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup final was broken out with the Panthers. In fact, all Picks from Barkley, with the exception of the Oilers who defeat the Vegas Golden Knights, were wrong. However, he selected Edmonton to win everything.

“I will tell you why I take the Oilers,” said Barkley at the beginning of the off -season about NHL. “The Florida Panthers lost two years ago, came back and won. Oilers lost last year, they will come back this year and win it this year. The same scenario.”

The Dallas Stars lead the Western Conference final 1-0 over the Oilers, with game 2 on Friday evening.