“As Soon as LeBron Left… Now Charles Barkley Likes the Lakers?”: Fans Shocked as NBA Legend Heaps Praise on Lakers Offseason After 4x MVP’s Departure

Charles Barkley changed his tune on the Los Angeles Lakers months after LeBron James ended his eight-year stint with the franchise. Barkley has been vocal about his criticism of the Purple and Gold over the past several years. However, the NBA legend believes the Lakers, as presently constructed with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the pack, will be better than most people think.

Appearing on Bill Simmons’ podcast on Thursday, Barkley said:

“I really want to see the Lakers do well. First of all, I’m a big Luka fan, a big Austin Reaves fan. I think they’re gonna be better than people realize. Luka and Kyrie took the Mavs to the Finals, come on, man. This team is probably better; this team is probably just as good as that team.”

“I really want to see the Lakers do well. First of all, I’m a big Luka fan, a big Austin Reaves fan. I think they’re gonna be better than people realize. Luka and Kyrie took the Mavs to the Finals, come on, man. This team is probably better; this team is probably just as good as that team.”

Multiple social media handles aggregated Charles Barkley’s quote on Tuesday. Several Lakers fans, especially those who also supported LeBron James, dished out their reactions. They couldn’t help but connect the dots that Barkley only praised the Lakers once James left the franchise.

“As soon as LeBron left… now Charles Barkley likes the Lakers?” one fan said.

“As soon as LeBron left… now Charles Barkley likes the Lakers?” one fan said.

Former Los Angeles Lakers champion Danny Green likes what the team has done this offseason to build a new-look roster around Luka Doncic.

The Lakers have gotten much younger and faster with their new additions like Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Cameron Carr. Thirty-year-old Kevon Looney is the oldest player.

Green believes the youthfulness could help them in the regular season. However, he’s iffy about the team’s playoff chances. Here’s what he said on Friday during a brief interview on ESPN LA radio:

“I mean, at first I wasn’t sure where they were going in the direction and then everything happened so fast… And I liked a lot of the pieces they picked up. I know they’re young, so not super experienced.

“I think they’re going to be a pretty good regular season team. Playoffs, I don’t know because of the youth and experience, but I like the moves they made; I like the pieces they have. They have more depth; they got younger and faster. They can get out and run a little more.”

“I mean, at first I wasn’t sure where they were going in the direction and then everything happened so fast… And I liked a lot of the pieces they picked up. I know they’re young, so not super experienced.

“I think they’re going to be a pretty good regular season team. Playoffs, I don’t know because of the youth and experience, but I like the moves they made; I like the pieces they have. They have more depth; they got younger and faster. They can get out and run a little more.”

The Lakers were still impactful in transition with 41-year-old LeBron James last year. However, that was limited to their offense only. Defensively, the Lakers struggled to get back on time and allowed a lot of points off turnovers.

With younger guards and wings like Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Cameron Carr, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle, the Lakers can resolve that issue and become a better two-way team than last season.

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