Charles Barkley Criticizes Lakers and ESPN Ahead of Potential Elimination
The Los Angeles Lakers face imminent elimination, and Charles Barkley, the veteran TNT broadcaster soon transitioning to ESPN, has strongly criticized the team. During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Barkley expressed his long-standing view that the Lakers are not a formidable team despite having two exceptional players.
“The Lakers, I told you two months ago, six weeks ago, the Lakers aren’t a good team. They got two really, really good players, but not a good team. ESPN just swings on them like everything tastes like chicken, but the Lakers are not a good team. They’re going to lose either this round or next round, but more likely this round. They’re not very good,” Barkley stated.
He further criticized the Lakers’ roster, particularly the reliance on aging stars and coaching decisions. Barkley took issue with playing the same five players throughout the second half of Game 4, suggesting it affected their performance.
“The Lakers are not going to be a contender with the team they have now. Your best player can’t be 40. That makes no sense whatsoever. And JJ was wrong the other night to play those guys the entire second half because No. 1, it’s probably going to affect them tonight. It definitely affected them down the stretch the other night. Both of those guys missed lay-ups and they made some mental mistakes with the ball,” Barkley said.
Barkley also took aim at ESPN’s coverage, accusing the network of inconsistent standards in their analysis of star players.
“Dan, you know, the clowns at ESPN, they always make me laugh,” Barkley told Patrick. “Dan, you know, I’m going to be a straight shooter. It’s interesting how they were discussing Giannis [Antetokounmpo] this week, like, ‘Should Giannis want to leave?’ I clearly don’t remember when I played, I don’t remember saying, ‘We need to get Charles Barkley some help in Philadelphia, or Phoenix, or Karl Malone in Utah. Patrick Ewing some help in New York.’ I remember the guys in the media kissing my ass and Karl’s ass, and Patrick’s ass. ‘Well, Giannis should want to leave Milwaukee now, because he can’t win the championship.’ I wonder where all the guys were when I played, asking me to get some help.”
Barkley’s candid remarks highlight his unfiltered approach, even as he prepares to join ESPN next season.
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