Charles Barkley didn’t hold back after the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets game on Wednesday, and his point was bigger than one box score. The Hall of Famer used Fred VanVleet’s return from an ACL injury to make a broader case for why the point guard spot still runs the show.
“The point guard, even if you're not the best player on the team, you're the most important player on the team by who you give the ball to and who you don't give the ball to,” said Barkley on “Inside the NBA.”
Barkley said too many players miss that part of the job.
Charles Barkley:
— Oh No He Didn't 🤯 (@ohnohedidnt24) November 12, 2026
"The point guard even if you're not the best player on the team, you're the most important player on the team by who you give the ball to and who you don't give the ball to. (FVV) has the ball most of the time, and people don't understand how important the point… pic.twitter.com/e5GiPat4U0
“People don't understand how important the point guard is,” added Barkley.
“Because all players are kind of dumb. When I say that, every player thinks he's a superstar.
They're like, ‘Just give it to me!’ I'm like, ‘No, you can't dribble!’
I'm gonna give it to you to finish, and that is so important.”
That perspective fits Barkley’s own career. He was a force as a player, but he also spent years alongside guards who could organize an offense, including Maurice Cheeks with the Philadelphia 76ers and Kevin Johnson with the Phoenix Suns. He also shared the floor with Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Penny Hardaway, and Gary Payton on Team USA.
Barkley said the Rockets were missing that kind of structure when VanVleet was out last season, describing a team that simply funneled the ball to Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun and let them go to work.
VanVleet looked plenty in control against Golden State. Houston won 115-108 to move to 9-3, and he finished with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-7 from long range, along with six assists, three steals, and no turnovers.
In Other News...
Fred VanVleet May Be Changing Everything For Houstons Offense
Fred VanVleets return has given Houston a steadier look on offense, and the early results have shown up in the standings. After missing the previous season, he is back in the mix and helping the Rockets to a 9-3 start while the attack looks less dependent on any one option. The veteran guard has also talked about the recovery process and the way he is fitting back into the flow, which matters for a team trying to build something more durable than a hot opening stretch.
The bigger picture is how the Rockets are spreading the load. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun have formed a productive two-man game, and VanVleets presence has helped round out a more balanced approach around them. For Houston, that kind of offensive structure can be the difference between a good run in November and something that holds up when the schedule gets tougher, which is why his role is worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Face One Big Dejounte Murray Question At 9-3
Dejounte Murrays name has started to surface in Houston conversations again, and it is easy to see why. He has a past connection with Ime Udoka from their Spurs days, and Murray recently revisited the respect Udoka earned as an assistant in San Antonio. With Murray now in New Orleans and reportedly wanting out, the idea of a reunion in Houston has enough logic to keep circulating, especially for a Rockets team off to a strong 9-3 start.
The bigger issue is what Houston would be willing to put on the table if the front office ever decided to push in. Fred VanVleet has been one of the reasons the Rockets have looked so steady early, and his presence has mattered as much for what he brings in the locker room as for what he does on the floor. Even with the assets to chase a deal, Houstons hesitation around moving him leaves the Murray question hanging over the team without an obvious answer. [Read more 🡒]
Jabari Smith Jr. Is Giving The Rockets A New Reason To Dream
Jabari Smith Jr. has given the Rockets a real lift in the early going, providing steady production alongside Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun as Houston has found its footing. At 16.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, he has looked more efficient and more comfortable, the kind of development that can change the shape of a roster when a young forward starts to look like more than just a promising piece.
The bigger question now is how all of that holds up when the games get tighter and the margins shrink. Smiths value has already shown up in the regular season, but Houston will be watching closely to see whether his scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility can carry over when the pressure rises and the Rockets need him to keep making winning plays. [Read more 🡒]