The Lakers and Warriors are head-to-head in the West as they head into the play-ins. That means more pressure on Anthony Davis to lead the Lakers forward. At this time, Charles Barkley defied all the negative commentary on AD to claim he had an All-NBA season. He even slammed all the critics and told Kenny to not be a hater.

But while Kenny “The Jet” Smith makes a valid argument that AD’s improvement is relative, Chuck says, “Anthony Davis is not the reason Lakers suck.” Naturally he was asked what the reason is. “The rest of them.” that’s an ouch to LeBron.

AD was absent on Tuesday when the Warriors beat his team 134-120. His status for the play-ins is still unclear. If the game is in San Francisco, Shaquille O’Neal gave home court advantage to the Dubs, “Even though Lakers have LeBron and AD.” Charles Barkley though has more confidence in Lakers upsetting Warriors at home because of Davis.

“He’s been poked in the eye a couple of times. But Anthony Davis… he’s had an All-NBA season. He answered all his critics this year. He’s been playing fantastic,” per Chuck’s opinion.

While Davis was nursing a headache, LeBron James also said something similar to Chuck, almost naming AD irreplaceable to the team. Before missing the game, Davis was averaging 24.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game. He’s a few digits short of his 2017-18 campaign with New Orleans when he did make All-NBA first team. Yet it’s true he’s on a campaign to prove his critics wrong.

Chuck is one of those who poked AD in the eye

Chuck, along with Shaq, was one of the many analysts on TV mocking AD for his injury last year. He’s been one of those overly critical meanies contrary to what he says now. He was harshest at the Lakers’ season-opener where he rescinded his past comment on The Brow.

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“When Anthony Davis was in New Orleans, I said, ‘Man, this dude is going to be the best basketball player in the world,'” Chuck said at the start of the season when the Lakers lost. Now he thinks he’s not proven him right. Over the course of the season, he’s called AD a disappointment and shown near angry desperation for Davis to step up in LeBron’s place.

In recent weeks, Davis has led the Lakers whenever James was benched. So forgive Barkley’s change in stance. But if everyone around AD is holding him back, that’s up for debate.

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