Just In:Nuggets To Win NBA Championship, According To Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley, the interviewee on Pardon the Interruption today, spoke out about many subjects, including the Denver Nuggets. When asked about Kenyon Martin's $25,000 fine, Barkley answered that Martin,

"Intimidated David West and he's trying to do the same thing to Dirk Nowitzki."

Michael Wilbon wanted to keep the subject the same and when asked about the Nuggets as a whole Barkley proclaimed,

"Well they're gonna beat Dallas, and not only do I think they will beat the LA Lakers or Houston, I think they would beat the Cleveland Cavaliers also."

Since Denver's devistation of the Hornets in Round One, many media personalities have jumped on the Nuggets bandwagon, including apparently the oft-critical Barkley.

Barkley continued, giving reason why the Nuggets are true competitors now,

"Chauncey Billups has gave[sic] them leadership, he's gave[sic] them toughness, he's calmed a few guys down."

"So if I had to pick right now, I'd go with the Denver Nuggets (to win it all)."

Not only have the Nuggets won the respect of the national media, they have completely opened their eyes to Denver's greatness as a bona fide NBA Championship contender.

Even Mike Wilbon, when shown during a commercial break on the show declared to Tony Kornheiser, 

"Boy I like Denver. They're loaded Tony! Loaded."

Now the Nuggets are in a different role, one they have not experienced during the Carmelo Anthony era—no longer is Denver the underachieving underdog, they are now being favored, and are expected to win.

What the Nuggets do with the added pressure is up to them, but if this year's playoff performance to date is any indication, Denver should be just fine.