“Adam Silver’s Got to Fine Them”: Charles Barkley Accuses Lakers of Tanking, Questions Luka Doncic’s MVP Case
The frustration across the Los Angeles Lakers is beginning to spill past the locker room. After a slender loss to the Phoenix Suns yesterday, rigidity has mounted over the staff’s current kind and celebrity guard Luka Doncic. Now, NBA legend Charles Barkley is becoming a member of the dialog about what precisely goes improper in Los Angeles.
On Inside the NBAthe hosts initially mentioned the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule for regular-season awards, with Ernie Johnson noting the way it may have an effect on a number of candidates down the stretch. Barkley initially supplied his help for the rule earlier than shifting focus.
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“I actually like that,” he started. “I hear guys speaking about that. I really like that transfer… First of all, hear, we love Luke. Take him off the record. That ship has sailed. Okay, let’s cease it, Ernie.”
Despite Doncic placing up large scoring numbers, the Lakers have gone by an especially tough stretch, shedding 5 of their final seven and three in a row, and Barkley appears to have acknowledged that. Unfortunately for the Lakers, he did not cease there, launching into a way more scathing criticism of the staff:
“But the Lakers out right here tanking proper now. Adam Silver’s acquired to high quality them quickly, however they simply out right here tanking. The Lakers “lost to the Suns last night… The Lakers lost to the Suns last night.”
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The Suns have been lacking each Dillon Brooks and Devin Bookerplacing collectively a skeleton crew to face off towards the Lakers, however managed to take the win. Doncic and LeBron James mixed for 56 factors, however LA nonetheless could not shut the door.
Doncic’s MVP case in recent times has relied on him having the ability to singlehandedly carrying his groups to strong offenses and succesful playoff-level groups, however this technique has seemingly run dry for him, regardless of his elite stats. His current strikes aren’t serving to.
Charles Barkley Doubles Down as Lakers’ Recent Losses Fuel Luka Doncic Criticism
Charles Barkley did not cease at simply accusing the Lakers of tanking, pushing again towards resistance from cohost Kenny Smith. When Smith advised him that they being the #6 seed within the closely contested Western Conference is way from tanking, Barkley appeared set in his methods.
Nov 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers ahead/guard Luka Dončić (77) towards the New Orleans Pelicans throughout the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
“The Lakers are tanking, man,” Barkley mentioned. “The Lakers are closer to the lottery. They’re closer to the play-in than they are first place… Adam Silver just don’t have the courage to fine the Lakers.”
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Of course, his criticisms could be a bit exaggerated, however the Lakers have not accomplished something to put them to relaxation. Before the Suns sport, Luka Doncic was below the highlight for an excellent worse displaying. Against the Orlando Magic, the guard handed up an open shot because the buzzer, as a substitute passing to James for a contested three to close the gamethen admitting within the post-game convention that it was his fault.
These are horrible optics for a staff trying to contend, and with them sitting only one sport outdoors the play-in, they want to step up their sport if the staff needs to disrupt the rising scrutiny on them.
