Since the early exit of the LA Lakers (4-1) and Phoenix Suns (4-0) from the playoff series, a lot of criticism was directed toward the respective head coaches, Darvin Ham and Frank Vogel. Reportedly, the coaches are expected to be released from their teams, but NBA expert Charles Barkley is far from happy about the noise surrounding the two.
Barkley called the media personalities “cowards” for not doing their job properly, which is to be honest with their analysis, they instead sweet coat words to be in the good books of the players. Then he lashed out by saying “Anybody who thinks the Lakers suck is because of Darvin Ham or the Suns suck because of Frank Vogel, you don’t know what you are talking about. Frank Vogel is a hell of a coach. Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach trying to get his career started. So for all you punks, idiots, and jacka**es on other networks who want to be in media, who want all the players to like them, do your damn job.”
The former Sixers forward has poured in his support for the under-fire coaches and pointed out that players should be held accountable for what happened on the court. Apart from calling out Ham and Vogel’s haters, Chuck also made a bold suggestion to LeBron James, whose future at the franchise is uncertain.
Charles Barkley Provides Retirement Suggestions to LeBron James
Following the Lakers Game 6 loss to the Nuggets, the most discussed topic in the NBA world has been about LeBron James’ future. The 4-time champion earlier stated that his days on the hardwood are numbered and, as there are no signs of a new contract extension, it’s easier to predict that there is no certainty that he will continue his journey with the Lakers. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley remarked on the matter.
“I hope he retires while he can still play,” Barkley said. “I saw Michael Jordan [play] with the [Washington] Wizards and it was not pretty. I saw Patrick Ewing with the Orlando Magic. I would love to see [LeBron James] retire sooner rather than later…because it ends badly when you keep on playing.”
Even at the age of 39, LeBron has achieved bigger feats with his superheroics in Purple and Gold. He performed brilliantly against the Denver Nuggets in the playoff series, averaging 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, but that could not save the Lakers. LeBron might not be in his prime, but he still has a fire in him that could push him to play further. But as they say, “time catches up with everyone” and LeBron James is certainly no exception to that.
