The Los Angeles Lakers struggled mightily in their opening two games of the 2022–23 season when they faced the top teams in the Western Conference. In both games against two teams that were unquestionably better put together than their own roster, LeBron James and company were outmatched.
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had a serious message for LeBron James and indirectly Anthony Davis following their 103-97 defeat to the Clippers:
“I got to take LeBron on. He needs to pursue AD. I’m too old to lead this team, you know that, man. You ought to be the man, James was advised by Barkley to communicate with Anthony Davis. “Like the change from Magic to Kareem. LeBron is one of the greatest players of this generation and of all time at this point, but a 38-year-old man shouldn’t be expected to lead his team in scoring, especially with Anthony Davis available.
It’s difficult to believe that LeBron and AD haven’t spoken about these specific topics in private. But that doesn’t change the truthfulness of the message Barkley wants to convey. Since he put the Lakers on his back for their 2020 championship run, AD has mainly underperformed on the court, injuries aside (and that’s a very big aside).
Anthony Davis is going to be the best basketball player in the world, I predicted five or six years ago. He is no longer even mentioned.
I got to challenge LeBron. He s got to come after AD… We should not be asking a 38-year old guy to be the best player on his team.
Chuck on the Lakers pic.twitter.com/ibFV6TuKek
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 21, 2022
In the eyes of the NBA’s elite, Anthony Davis has essentially become a forgotten player. Unquestionably gifted and versatile, the Lakers big man is a frustrating franchise player because of his ailments and inconsistent play.
The article “I got to confront LeBron”: Charles Barkley sends King James a message challenging Anthony Davis first published on ClutchPoints.
