Annoyed Charles Barkley Exits Celtics Bandwagon After Miserable Loss to LeBron-Less Lakers

Published 02/01/2024, 10:49 PM EST

Throughout the regular season, teams go through a myriad of changes and the toils of the long year. However, the Boston Celtics remain a curious case. Despite a bucket load of talent and an impressive record, they can lay an egg like during their latest matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the Lakers missing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Celtics could not pull through. As a result, Boston fans remain worried, and legends like Charles Barkley cannot take them seriously.

According to the Round Mound of Rebound, a three-game sample has him rethinking his choice for Championship favorites. “I’m almost off their bandwagon…I’ve watched them twice against the elite teams in the last 2 weeks. This team tonight is going to make my point even more…They win games on talent. They don’t win on toughness and defense.”

However, the majority of the blame for this loss falls on their two best players. “The one thing you have to be as a great player, and this is on [Jayson] Tatum and [Jaylen] Brown, you have to be tough. The team will play like their best player.”

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But, with this loss, the concern continues to pile up for the C’s. “To lose to a team without LeBron and AD…I’m really concerned about my Celtics’ mental toughness…You have to be mentally strong, you got to be able to take care of the ball. And this team here, they got great talent, but they’re mentally weak.”

"I'm almost off their bandwagon… They don't win on toughness and defense."
Chuck sounds off on the Celtics' first-half performance pic.twitter.com/8Olm13SR7W
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 2, 2024

Barkley wasn’t the only one critical of the team’s performance, though. Despite no love lost between the two parties, Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t view the team as a legitimate threat due to this exact reason.

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Not just Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal joins in on the Celtics hate

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After an Austin Reaves masterclass, it was Boston’s unpreparedness that became the topic of discussion. Harkening back to his time alongside Phil Jackson, the Lakers legend would reveal how the Coach would emphasize the difference between a Championship team and a one-seed.

To the 4x NBA Champion, Boston’s complacency and unreadiness were clear signs that the team wasn’t ready to take the next step. Moreover, “This is why they’re not championship-ready yet.” Despite a plethora of off-season moves to update their roster, three home losses in consecutive weeks have doubts flaring in for the team.

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Can a trade deadline move or a readjustment in mentality help them find their footing?

“They’re Better Without Them”: Charles Barkley Undermines LeBron James and Anthony Davis as Lakers Dominate Celtics at Half Time

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My earliest memories of a connection to basketball was through its popularity in my school. Eventually, that gave way to a genuine passion for the sport and the rest, is history. Whether it be gameplay, the tactics, the narratives, or the sheer art on display, the game speaks to me in a way few other things can.

Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth

Annoyed Charles Barkley Exits Celtics Bandwagon After Miserable Loss to LeBron-Less Lakers

Not just Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal joins in on the Celtics hate

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