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Charles Barkley expects New York Knicks to make NBA playoffs

Despite the New York Knicks' 17–65 record last season, Charles Barkley told SiriusXM NBA Radio he expects the team will make the playoffs this season.
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Despite the New York Knicks' 17–65 record last season, Charles Barkley told SiriusXM NBA Radio that he expects the team will make the playoffs this season.

“Carmelo is not the reason the Knicks aren't winning, he's the only reason why they're on TNT,” Barkley said. “I expect them to make the playoffs.”

The Knicks were far from playoff contention with the worst record in the East. The 38–44 Brooklyn Nets were the eighth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

In March 2013, Barkley told SI.com that he is not a Knicks hater.

“People say I don't like the Knicks, but I think that's really unfair,” Barkley told Richard Deitsch. 

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“Listen, I don't know anything about anything in the world but basketball,” Barkley added. “I never have a hidden agenda. I would love to see the Knicks do well. It would be great for the NBA. But they could not keep that pace up."

That postseason, the Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

This off-season, the Knicks draftedKristaps Porzingis with the fourth pick in the 2015 NBA draft and signed free agents Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams and Arron Afflalo. Derek Fisher is entering his second season as head coach. 

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Listen to Barkley's comments on the Knicks below:

- Christopher Chavez