Los Angeles Lakers: Charles Barkley Defends Anthony Davis, Bluntly Calls Out Culprit Behind LA’s 2023-24 Season Troubles

Charles Barkley Defends Anthony Davis Amid Los Angeles Lakers’ Woes

When talking about the potential matchup in the Play-in Tournament between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, Barkley said that he’s siding with LA because he doesn’t think that the Dubs will be able to solve Davis.  Kenny Smith didn’t seem to be completely on the same page with Barkley when it comes to Davis, but that’s when the former NBA Most Valuable Player told Smith to dial down on his criticism of AD.

“Stop being a hater,” Barkley told Smith on the set of NBA on TNT show.  Anthony Davis, is not the reason the Lakers suck.”

“Who is?” Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal asked Barkley afterward.

“The rest of them,” Barkley quickly responded.

Regardless of which fence anyone is about Davis, it’s hard to deny that Davis is a crucial piece for the Lakers. They are going to need Davis not just to be healthy but to be at his best if they are to get past the Play-in Tournament stages and go deep in the playoffs.

Through 74 games this season, Davis has averaged 24.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.4 blocks per outing. Together with LeBron James, Davis will have a huge role in the Play-in whether they will be against the Warriors or any team.

Davis, Lakers Looking to Finish the Regular Season Strong

The Lakers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors with Davis missing one game in that span. He also played just 12 minutes in the Timberwolves game after getting poked in the eye so he may very well be considered absent in both contests.

Davis is deemed probably to play this Friday night on the road versus the Memphis Grizzlies while James is considered questionable. After the Grizzlies game, the Lakers will close the curtain on their regular-season campaign with a game in the Big Easy against AD’s former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, on Sunday.