Charles Barkley has never been shy about sharing his thoughts. And he seems to have taken the front seat against the Los Angeles Lakers’ critics. The former NBA MVP is not at all impressed after the team suffered a disappointing 118-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
However, it has been persistently seen that Barkley does not like the way LA handles after-court matters. Be it a roster shuffle, sacking their head coach, or even a loss, the Lakers always have someone to put the blame on, according to Chuck. During the latest segment of Inside the NBA, the former basketball champion openly expressed his frustration.
“Why I hate the Lakers? It’s always somebody else’s fault. Remember three years ago it was Russell Westbrook’s fault. Then it was Frank Vogel’s fault. Then it was D’Angelo Russell’s fault. And then it was Darvin Ham’s fault. It’s always somebody else’s fault,” Barkley said.
To Barkley, this culture of deflection is damaging and reveals a lack of accountability from both the stars and the organization. Barkley’s critique isn’t about bashing the team for the sake of drama. It’s rooted in his belief that the Lakers have some serious foundational issues. While he acknowledges that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are exceptional players, he doesn’t hold back when he describes the rest of the roster.
Also Read: Charles Barkley Has A Fiery Take On “Regressed” Anthony Edwards This NBA Season
JJ Redick Is Unfazed By Charles Barkley’s Criticism
However, many times, Charles Barkley points out the issues at the Lakers camp, and the team is taking an alternative route. Los Angeles’ head coach, JJ Redick, has made it clear that he is unfazed by the recent criticisms from TNT commentators.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
“I got a random text from somebody after the game. I went to look at my phone and it says something about Charles Barkley,” Redick said. “I’m like, ‘Huh?’ But [Lakers assistant coaches Greg St. Jean and Beau Levesque] showed me. I didn’t make it all the way through the clip, I gotta be honest with you. My resting heart rate is 64. I watched the clip, it was 64. Literally don’t care. I have other thoughts, but don’t care.”
“I didn’t make it through the whole clip,” JJ Redick says on Charles Barkley criticism pic.twitter.com/SX72J59LIf
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 4, 2025
The feud kicked off after Redick criticized the negativity pervasive in NBA broadcasts, particularly regarding the current state of the league. Barkley, not one to shy away from confrontation, accused Redick of contributing to the “crappy product” that has turned fans away from the game. He emphasized the importance of accountability in coaching, suggesting that Redick’s first season with the Lakers has been a challenge given the franchise’s issues and recent changes in leadership.
Despite the pressure and scrutiny, especially with the Lakers’ mixed performance this season, Redick seems determined to maintain his focus and not let outside noise affect his coaching journey.
