Barkley praises Tkachuk, Panthers, shouts, 'We are not worthy'

Basketball Hall of Famer and "NBA on TNT" analyst Charles Barkley says what's on his mind.

What's been on his mind recently? The Florida Panthers.

Barkley, the 1993 NBA MVP and 11-time All-Star who became perhaps the most popular basketball analyst working today, has always enjoyed hockey. But there is something about the run the Panthers have made that has especially captured his attention.

That something that seems to be capturing his attention the most? The inspiring play of Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.

Barkley, who is no stranger to grand proclamations, made a few grand proclamations when talking about Tkachuk and the Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Matthew Tkachuk? We are not worthy. We are not worthy!" Barkley said after Game 5 of the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics NBA Eastern Conference Finals on TNT. "Mr. Tkachuk, we are not worthy!"

Barkley also congratulated Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and captain Aleksander Barkov on their fine play during the run.

But then he went for an even bigger compliment for Tkachuk.

"I'm gonna pass the torch. Matthew, you're better than your dad, Keith," Barkley said.

That's pretty high praise considering the elder Tkachuk had 1,065 points in 1,201 NHL games, the fifth-most points ever for an United States-born player.

What has Matthew Tkachuk done to earn that praise? Well, he's only been on one of the great playoff heaters ever, including three game-winning goals and an assist on the fourth winner in a four-game sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, earning the Panthers their first Cup Final trip since 1996.

Matthew also has 21 points in 16 playoffs games, this after a regular season when he put up 109 points in 79 games, earning his second selection to an NHL All-Star Game and being named a Hart Trophy finalist.

"I watched that whole game (Wednesday) night. That was so awesome," Barkley said of Game 4 of the Carolina series, when Tkachuk scored with 4.9 seconds remaining to win it. "Shoutout to TNT. I cannot wait. We are going to have the Stanley Cup Final."