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Charles Barkley continued his criticism of the LA Lakers, despite their recent 7-3 run. The Lakers started the year 2-10 but are 10-13 right now. Many critics and fans have given Darvin Ham's team credit for improving their play over the last few weeks.
However, Barkley still hasn't given the Lakers their flowers. Here's what the former MVP said about the Purple and Gold on TNT's Inside the NBA show:
"Anthony Davis is playing great. I've told you for the last three years. He 's the guy who's gonna take the Lakers where they want to. But where exactly placed are the Lakers right now? 13th! Hey, if the playoffs started today, they wouldn’t even be in the Play-In Game."
The Lakers' underwhelming start to the season saw them dig themselves into a hole. They haven't touched the .500 mark so far, making it difficult for them to rise up the standings and inch closer to a top-six spot.
However, the Western Conference standings are tight at this time. The LA Lakers are only three games behind a direct playoffs qualification spot (sixth) and two games behind in the race for a play-in seeding (10th). They will have to keep up their play, though, as the teams ranked above them could blow the difference wide open with the season entering a crucial stretch.
LA Lakers have their three-game winning streak snapped by the Cavaliers as Anthony Davis exits game with flu
Charles Barkley will get another chance to have a go at the LA Lakers after they had their three-game winning streak snapped by the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James' former team registered a 116-102 win over the Lakers on Tuesday.
LA dropped to 10-13 for the season. They have now failed to win four games in a row for almost a year, with their last such streak coming earlier this year in January. The Lakers suffered an early blow against the Cavaliers after the man in form, Anthony Davis, exited the game in the first quarter.
Also read: Darvin Ham reflects on Anthony Davis’ stellar form: “AD wants it, he wants to be that guy”
He played only eight minutes. According to the team, AD had been dealing with a non-Covid illness before the game. He tried to power through it but couldn't overcome the flu.
The LA Lakers had Davis to thank for their terrific 8-2 run entering the game. He played nine games during that stretch, averaging 34.2 points, 15.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.
LA stayed in the game until early in the fourth quarter, with the scores tied at 90-90. However, they couldn't withstand Donovan Mitchell's brilliance in the final frame. The former Jazz star scored 17 of his 43 points during that period to power the Cavs to a 14-point win.
Meanwhile, LeBron James tried to will the LA Lakers to a win with a 21-point, 17-rebound effort, but it was always going to be an uphill task without Anthony Davis. His two-way ability was decisive for the Lakers during their 8-2 run. The team felt his absence, especially defensively, down the stretch.
Guess the Lakers players!
