Charles Barkley in complete awe of ‘pretty man’ Max Strus after Cavs take Game 5

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Paolo Mariano, ClutchPoints

Thu, May 14, 2026 at 6:56 AM UTC ·

2 min read

Charles Barkley in complete awe of ‘pretty man’ Max Strus after Cavs take Game 5 appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

NBA legend Charles Barkley recently drew attention after his back-and-forth with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green on “Inside the NBA,” with the latter insulting the former’s career with the Houston Rockets .

Barkley was sport about it, stressing that he was just being honest when he said he felt that the Warriors were done. Many agreed with him. Green was not one of them.

On Wednesday, Barkley was his honest self anew. Maybe too honest.

In discussing the Cleveland Cavaliers after their win in overtime in Game 5 against the Detroit Pistons , the Hall of Famer gave Max Strus his flowers —plus chocolates, a teddy bear, and a diamond ring.

“Max Strus played great. I’m thinking what everybody’s thinking. That’s a pretty man,” said Barkley on “Inside the NBA.”

“He’s a good-looking man. (I like) his face. I told you, I don’t believe in the man bun thing. Listen, don’t be hating. That’s a pretty man.”

Barkley’s co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith could not help but rib him. But the former MVP was love-struck with Strus, who had 20 points, including six three-pointers, in Game 5 .

“I would not look him [straight] in the eyes. I made that mistake with Tom Brady one time,” joked Barkley, eliciting more laughter in the studio.

Fans enjoyed the light-hearted moment.

“Hey, when he’s right, he’s right!” said @gigabarb.

“They ain’t wrong though,” echoed @RJLays21.

“Chuck has watched basketball for 40 years. This is the analysis,” added @CarterOnHoops.

“Draymond would have [taken away] the whole fun if he were there,” commented @ROZEWOOD_exe.

“For a scorer, Chuck knows how to set it up,” wrote @kaeae.

Strus will look to sustain his pretty stroke from long range in Game 6 at Rocket Arena on Friday.