“Man Up Anthony Davis”: Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley Talk About Lakers Star’s Apparent Hip Injury During Game 4

The Los Angeles Lakers were involved in a tough Game 4 battle against the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite Desmond Bane’s 36-point, 7-rebound stellar outing, LeBron James and co. managed to grab a huge 117-111 OT thriller win at home.

While LeBron was exceptional, recording 22 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks, he did end up receiving vital contributions from the likes of Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, and other role players. Unfortunately, Laker Nation didn’t witness Anthony Davis play like his usual self.

Coming off an incredible 31-point, 17-rebound double-double in Game 3, the Unibrow re-aggravated the injury he had sustained on his hip. During the 2^nd quarter of the Grizzlies-Lakers clash, went down hard on the floor.

While AD will be receiving “constant round-the-clock treatment”, as per Darvin Ham, the hosts of Inside the NBA believe that Davis needs to “man up”.

“LeBron James and the others bailed Anthony Davis out tonight”: Charles Barkley

Despite the injury, the big man ended the night playing 41:54 minutes and ended up lodging 12 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. However, with a box plus-minus -3 and a 30.7% FG, Davis was inefficient.

While the former Kentucky Wildcat stuffed the stat sheet, Charles Barkley criticised him for being extremely inconsistent throughout the series. Saying that the 8-time All-Star had these “peaks and valleys” from time to time, the analyst further claimed that LeBron and co. bailed Davis out in Game 4.

“I don’t understand a guy with that type of talent to have the peaks and valleys that he has. He has to understand LeBron and the others bailed him out tonight. He’s supposed to be the best player on this team, at this stage of his career and some nights he’s the best and the other nights you’re like ‘man, what the hell is up with this dude?’,” Barkley said.

Shaquille O’Neal agreed with the Round Mound of Rebound. Further, the Diesel explained how a younger AD during his NOLA days had the potential to be the best player in the association.

“When we saw him play when he was with the Pelicans, he was going off all those games, all of us said that in 2-3 years he’s going to be the best player in the league,” Shaq said.

Barkley ended the segment by pointing out the difference in the level of production from the 3-time block champ across the first-round series.

AD’s stats from the 2023 Playoffs

Having managed to win both games at the Crypto.com Arena, the Purple & Gold have taken a 3-1 series advantage. While Bron has been the primary bucket-getter for Darvin Ham, AD’s contributions are notable.

Barkley isn’t wrong about Davis’ inconsistency.

While the 4-time All-NBA player has looked like the best player on the floor in Games 1 (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 blocks) & 3 (31 points & 17 rebounds), in the other two instances, the NBA champ has put up role player type numbers.

Through the first 4 games of the postseason, the 6-foot-10 star has been averaging 19.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and a staggering 4.8 blocks per game.