During his NBA career, Charles Barkley played for notable teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns. Coinciding with his time in the league, the Los Angeles Lakers, famously known as the ‘Showtime Lakers,’ were one of the most beloved teams. Although Barkley did not hold a favorable opinion of the Lakers as a basketball team, he did recall having some pleasant experiences during his time in Los Angeles, as mentioned by the 1993 MVP.
Being situated in the city of Hollywood, the Los Angeles Lakers have frequently attracted a plethora of renowned individuals, including actors, musicians, and singers. In addition to holding the record for the most NBA titles in league history, the team has also become a hub for numerous high-profile figures within the entertainment industry.
Charles Barkley reminisces about the positive experiences
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During an interview on the Dan Patrick show, Charles Barkley disclosed that he had encountered some of the world’s most famous individuals when he competed against the Los Angeles Lakers in their home arena.
Barkley shared on the Dan Patrick show, “I remember the first game in LA, Jack Nicholson said hello to me. I would have called my mom, Jack Nicholson knows who I am. I couldn’t believe it. You know he sat right beside the bench. He gave me a compliment. I would have told all my friends. I called my mom and grandma. ‘Y’all not gonna believe this Jack Nicholson knows who I am?'” He added, “Denzel Washington came up to me one time. I try hard not to fanboy but I was so excited.” Despite his disdain for the team, Barkley had the opportunity to meet some of the biggest Hollywood stars in the Lakers’ home stadium.
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Charles Barkley record against the Los Angeles Lakers
Charles Barkley’s animosity towards the Lakers may stem from his poor record against them. Throughout his career, Barkley faced the Lakers 41 times and suffered a significant 24 losses. This can be attributed to the Lakers’ dominance during that era, with star players like Magic Johnson, who is often considered one of the greatest point guards of all time, and the scoring powerhouse Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading the team.
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Barkley had the challenging task of competing against arguably the greatest Lakers lineup ever. Despite the passage of time, Barkley continues to voice his criticism of the Lakers whenever he gets the opportunity on live television.
WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Barkley dismantles Shaquille O’Neal on live television.