The Boston Celtics were favourites heading into Thursday night’s NBA regular season match against the Los Angeles Lakers, but they were defeated 115-104 by a club missing Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley both lamented the Celtics’ lack of ruthlessness in an interview with TNT Sports afterward.
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley were both critical of the Boston Celtics following their 115-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday evening.
The Celtics have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season, and they were odds-on favourites to overcome the faltering Lakers.
Those chances only grew in their favor as the Lakers were unable to rely on Anthony Davis or LeBron James, two of their most consistent players, and instead suffered a defeat that left both O’Neal and Barkley questioning their trophy-winning credentials.
Barkley mentioned the Celtics’ 115-96 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last week, stressing how Paul George stepped up for the Clippers and encouraging Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to toughen up.
“Without LeBron and AD, [the Celtics] are supposed to be up by 30. … This is why they’re not championship-ready yet.”@Shaq on Boston's first-half vs. Lakers pic.twitter.com/Qnbp4OjEFx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 2, 2024
NBA icon Barkley told TNT Sports: “I’m almost off their bandwagon. I don’t think they can win the championship, and I’ll explain why. “I’ve seen them play against elite teams twice in the last two weeks.”This is what I see tonight. I plan to watch them play the Denver Nuggets two weeks ago. They spanked them twice. “I’m excited to see the LA Clippers, as they are one of the best teams in the West.”Tyronn Lue, head coach of the Clippers, stated that Paul George did not play tonight, but wanted to send a message to the Celtics in case they faced them in the finals. The Clippers defeated them. They win games based on talent, not toughness or defence. The one thing a great player must be – and this is especially true for Tatum and Brown – is tough. “The team will perform like their best player.”Brown and Tatum are excellent players, but they are also lovely people. I have never met a fantastic player who was also a truly pleasant guy. To achieve success, it’s crucial for Brown and Tatum to demonstrate toughness.The game should be over tonight. If they were very tough mentally – ‘Guys, there’s no LeBron, there’s no AD, let’s not give these guys hope’ – and now they’re down and out.”
O’Neal, who was one of the best players of his generation and dominated the sport for the Lakers, Miami Heat, and Celtics before retiring, felt the same way.
"I'm almost off their bandwagon… They don't win on toughness and defense."
Chuck sounds off on the Celtics' first-half performance pic.twitter.com/8Olm13SR7W
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 2, 2024
He said, “I agree with Kenny Smith and Chuck.” Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson once told the locker room, “Don’t let the first place fool you; you’re still not ready for a championship.”This is how I feel about Boston. Without LeBron and AD, the team should be ahead by 30 minutes. However, they are not playing with the same intensity as their opponents.You’re loose with the ball, but the Lakers players don’t get to play much – and they play control ball. Chuck made an excellent point earlier: they’re playing faster, and they don’t having to give the ball to LeBron and let him dribble before passing it to AD. “They get their chance to play.”And, again, when they lack the mental focus that Kenny mentioned, such as Austin Reeves, keep in mind that we are all NBA players and can all play. When guys get the opportunity to play, they will not let you embarrass or beat them.
“When you have that championship mindset and determination, it doesn’t matter who is on the court; we have to beat you. “This team, which is supposed to beat that team, is not championship ready.”
