Charles Barkley is not convinced that the Los Angeles Lakers will be able to defend their championship.
After the Lakers struggled during a 99-90 first-round playoff loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Barkley argued that anyone who thought the Lakers would suddenly dominate opponents during the postseason after limping during The regular season – with stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis battling injuries – was wrong.
“I’m seeing all these idiots … on TV, ‘Oh, the Lakers are the team to beat.’ I think, ‘I don’t think that’s true,’ ”Barkley said during the broadcast of“ NBA on TNT ”on Sunday night. “The notion that they can just show up and win is not true – no one is afraid of them.”
“Anthony Davis and LeBron [James,] They haven’t really played basketball in months. … This is going to be an interesting series. This, to me, is a series of pick-em. But the Lakers are not playing well. “
“TNT” analyst Shaquille O’Neal, who has played for the Lakers and Suns, agreed that Phoenix is not intimidated. However, he was optimistic that Los Angeles could bring the series back.
O’Neal said the Lakers’ success will depend on James and Davis.
“They still think they can turn it around. … The Lakers couple have to play better, ”said O’Neal. “They must set the tone. Now sometimes when I see AD it’s floating. Chuck and I hate watching him float. Dominate on the inside. It’s bigger, it’s faster, it shoots overhead. … Phoenix has bitten their crest and we will see how they respond ”.
Barkley said the Lakers need more from Davis.
“Anthony Davis is the key. LeBron is going to do what he always does. But if Anthony Davis isn’t … the second-best player on the court for the Lakers, they’re not going to win, ”Barkley said.
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Lakers-Suns schedule for first-round playoff series.
(Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)
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