Charles Barkley "sounds bitter" taking aim at ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers
Yesterday at 01:19 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their season with a long-awaited victory, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103. This marked the team's first season-opening win in nearly a decade, but NBA analyst Charles Barkley remained unimpressed by the outcome. During the postgame segment on NBA on TNT, Barkley openly criticized the media’s tendency to inflate the Lakers' chances, predicting that they would struggle this season, per TheSpun.
“The only thing bad, I gotta listen to those dudes on ESPN talk about how the Lakers are contenders.” Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/NnhqK3OSvf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 23, 2024
Barkley jokingly expressed his dismay about the inevitable discussions on ESPN, where analysts would likely crown the Lakers as title contenders. "The only thing bad, I gotta listen to those dudes on ESPN talk about how the Lakers are contenders tomorrow," he remarked. His prediction of a 9-seed finish for the Lakers stirred the conversation among fellow analysts, including Shaquille O’Neal, who labeled Barkley a “Laker hater.” In response, Barkley defended his stance, asserting, "I’m not a Laker hater. I just hate how they gas these teams up when they ain’t no good." Ernie Johnson, also on the panel, noted that Barkley “sounds bitter,” adding to the playful banter surrounding the discussion.
Barkley’s skepticism isn’t new; he has consistently questioned the Lakers’ prospects since May, when he stated that both the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors would struggle unless they made significant roster changes. Despite some offseason moves, including the Lakers signing rookies Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, and Quincy Olivari, as well as big man Christian Koloko, Barkley doesn't see the necessary improvements. The Lakers failed to attract any top-tier free agents, leading him to maintain his critical perspective.
Barkley’s Take on ESPN’s Narrative
Barkley's critique extends beyond the Lakers. He voiced frustration over ESPN's tendency to overhype both the Lakers and the Warriors, often ignoring their struggles. He reiterated this sentiment during a recent appearance on Jim Jackson’s podcast, stating, "The Warriors and the Lakers both stink. First of all, are they in the playoff hunt? No, they’re not in the playoff hunt, they in some stuff Adam Silver made up called play-in." His comments reflect a growing frustration with the media narrative surrounding these storied franchises.
On the court, the Lakers saw standout performances, with Anthony Davis scoring an impressive 36 points while LeBron James contributed 16 points. Additionally, James had a special moment, sharing the court with his son Bronny for a few minutes during the game. Despite this emotional win, Barkley’s criticism looms large, as he insists that the team's overall trajectory remains uncertain.
As the season unfolds, Barkley's critical eye will remain focused on both the Lakers and the Warriors. While fans may hope for a strong performance from these teams, the analyst’s perspective serves as a reminder that expectations should align with reality. In Charles Barkley's eyes, the hype may not match the performance, and he won't shy away from calling out media narratives that he perceives as misleading.
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