"They were a game away from playing for the championship," Barkley said Wednesday in a teleconference to promote Turner's season, which opens on Tuesday. "And to get a good player in Anthony Mason - yeah, he's a little nutty sometimes, no question. But, you know what? He's a good player. And probably the most underrated coach in the league is George Karl. If he can make it work - Ray Allen is terrific. Sam Cassell is a good player. Their front line is solid. But to have a guy like Mason, whether he starts or comes off the bench is really going to help them."

The new rules that allow zone defense will help the Bucks, said Barkley. They just don't have to hide it anymore.

"George Karl plays the best zone in the league, OK? He did in Seattle. He's going to find a way to make this zone thing work in Milwaukee. They are so versatile. They probably have improved themselves the most just by getting Mason."