NBA legend Charles Barkley has given his breakdown of the LA Lakers’ greatest drawback after their elimination.
The LA Lakers are eradicated from the NBA Playoffs after a crushing 4-1 collection defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The third seed Lakers suffered a Sport 5 dwelling defeat to the Timberwolves, outpowered by a dominant efficiency from Rudy Gobert (27 factors, 27 rebounds).
Julius Randle added 23 factors, with the Lakers having no reply defensively, taking part in with no heart and leaving Jaxson Hayes as DNP together with Alex Len.
Former star Charles Barkley has been a vocal critic of the LA Lakers’ championship probabilities because the Luka Doncic commerce.
And after watching the Lakers collapse, Barkley pointed to Luka Doncic and LeBron James’ deficiencies.
As a substitute of specializing in Mark Williams, who the Lakers traded for after which rescinded the deal, Barkley feels it could take three all-time greats to make up the crew’s five-man rotation, for the crew to face an opportunity.
Barkley advised Inside The NBA on TNT: “They’ll’t guard anyone. They’re going to have to seek out anyone to cowl for LeBron and Luka.
“LeBron don’t play protection anymore. Luka can’t guard a chair.
“You’re going to should have Wilt, Kareem and Invoice Russell again there blocking pictures.”
Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Invoice Russell are considered three of one of the best gamers ever, spelling out how tough Barkley believes it’s to construct across the Lakers star duo.
Charles Barkley expressed doubt that Luka Doncic and LeBron James would work properly collectively when the commerce was made with the Dallas Mavericks.
Barkley expressed fears LeBron and Luka wouldn’t have the ability to play in the identical crew, commenting: “There’s going to be some critical rising pains when these two attempt to play collectively.
“They’re each nice gamers don’t get be mistaken. However LeBron needs the ball and Luka positively needs the ball. It’s going to be attention-grabbing how that works out.”
This facet of the partnership labored out completely high-quality. LeBron James was completely satisfied to defer to Luka Doncic by way of ball-handling accountability, and tackle extra defensive work.
However finally it was the shortage of protection that price the Lakers, an excessive amount of was requested of LeBron, and the remainder of the crew, with taking part in with no heart in opposition to a bodily Timberwolves crew just too large a activity.
