Barkley picks the Cavs

NEW ORLEANS -- I've been meaning to post this exchange between Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith during Thursday night's TNT doubleheader. Barkley makes it clear he's picking the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Lakers to win the NBA championship.

Barkley on why he believes the Cavaliers will win the championship this year: "I think the Cavaliers are the team to beat this year. This is not the same Cleveland team (as last year). With the addition of Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison they are not the same team. I never thought I would pick against the Lakers, but I'm going to."

Smith: "The L.A. Lakers and even the Lakers fans are spoiled to the fact that they have the second-best record in basketball and they are asking 'what's wrong in Laker land?' That's a little spoiled. They are an incredible basketball team."

Barkley: "They are missing something, they really miss Trevor Ariza. Nobody wants to say that. I like Ron Artest, but he has not played well. They are going to miss Trevor Ariza. He played great in the playoffs."

Are they right? Are the Cavs the better team and are Lakers fans spoiled?