Despite the addition of rookie Lonzo Ball, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley believes that the Los Angeles Lakers will not make it to the playoffs in the coming season. “Hell no,” Barkley responded when asked by TMZ Sports if the Lakers will reach the postseason with Ball, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The outspoken Barkley added that the Philadelphia 76ers are better than the Lakers now, with No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric leading the way. Last season, the Lakers finished 26-56, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight time, tied for longest in franchise history.
Earlier, Lonzo’s father, Lavar, guaranteed that his son would lead the Lakers to the playoffs in his rookie year.
Aside from taking Ball in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Lakers traded former playmaker D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for veteran center Brook Lopez. The Lakers signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year contract worth $18 million to provide an added scoring punch and support for Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Last season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.8 points in 76 games with the Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN.
Barkley said he would beat LaVar Ball one-on-one
Meanwhile, Barkley reiterated his earlier statement that he would beat LaVar in a game of one-on-one. “Everybody can," said Barkley.
Earlier, LaVar boasted that he could beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one in his prime. Barkley then chimed in and challenged LaVar to a game of one-on-one, saying no player averaging 2.2 points in college could beat him. “I'm too old and fat to play basketball, but I'll challenge Mr. Ball to a one-on-one,” Barkley said then.
According to Sports Reference, LaVar averaged 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 26 games at Washington State during the 1987-88 season. In comparison, Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA, is an 11-time All-Star, and was the 1993 MVP. In his career, he averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, per Wikipedia.
Lakers signed backup point guard Tyler Ennis
After missing out on Derrick Rose, the Lakers brought back backup point guard Tyler Ennis on a one-year deal with a team option in the second year, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. The Lakers recently met with Rose but the latter opted to sign a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $2.1 million. By bringing back Ennis on a minimum deal, the Lakers have maintained their salary cap space for next season with the hope of signing LeBron James and Paul George in 2018. Ennis saw action in 22 games for the Lakers, averaging 7.7 points and 2.4 assists, per ESPN Stats.
