{
  "id": 6408699,
  "title": "“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",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/as-soon-as-lebron-left-now-charles-barkley-likes-the-lakers-fans",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T10:32:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/soon-lebron-left-now-charles-103248151.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Charles Barkley's praise for the Los Angeles Lakers has left fans stunned, especially given his previous criticism of the team. The NBA legend's sudden endorsement of the Lakers came just months after LeBron James left the franchise. Barkley, speaking on Bill Simmons' podcast, expressed his admiration for the new-look Lakers led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He believes the team will be better than many people anticipate, and even compared them favorably to the Dallas Mavericks, which featured Luka and Kyrie Irving in the Finals. This shift in opinion only occurred after LeBron James' departure from the Lakers, leading to speculation and reactions from fans. Former Lakers champion Danny Green also voiced his confidence in the team's new roster, praising their youthfulness and potential improvements in both the regular season and playoffs. However, Green remains uncertain about the team's chances in the playoffs due to the young players' lack of experience. The Lakers' roster has seen significant changes, with younger guards and wings like Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Cameron Carr, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle joining the team. These additions could help address the Lakers' defensive struggles in the past, making them a more well-rounded team.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Charles Barkley praises Lakers after LeBron James departure, surprising fans",
    "Lakers roster changes include younger guards and wings, aiming to improve defense",
    "Barkley compares Lakers favorably to Dallas Mavericks with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Charles Barkley's sudden endorsement of the Lakers suggests a shift in perception of the team's prospects now that LeBron James is no longer on the roster.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}