The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to get things back on track once they came out of the All-Star break. Instead, a 2-3 record after the break has them reeling, with Deandre Ayton bearing the brunt of the blame. After a subpar year as a whole, his comments disparaging Houston Rockets center Clint Capela set the entire basketball world on fire.
Now, as they faced the Golden State Warriors, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had some fiery comments for Ayton.
Charles Barkley Brutally Roasts Deandre Ayton
A career 16 and 10 guy, Ayton’s averages have somehow gone down playing alongside two elite ball handlers and playmakers in LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Averaging 13 points and 8.4 rebounds, he has been one of the more disappointing links on the Lakers.
But his attitude remains the same as that of the former first overall pick who came to the NBA as a highly touted prospect. As a result, before a dreadful outing against his former team, the Phoenix Suns, he took a shot at Capela.
“They are trying to make me Clint Capela… I’m not no Clint Capela!”
Claiming that LA was trying to play him like the Rockets star, Ayton clearly believed he was a far better player than the former rebounding leader. However, most of the basketball world, from fans to the media, believed Capela was a better player and could benefit the Lakers more than Ayton has so far this year.
Now, Barkley was the latest name to take the former Portland Trail Blazers star to school. On the latest episode of Inside The NBA, he did not hold back, claiming, “This man out here talking about insulting Clint Capela. Then he gives himself a nickname like Dominayton. Dominayton, my a**.”
The comments came even as Los Angeles dispatched the Warriors with relative ease. Winning 129-101, it was a thoroughly one-sided game right from the outset.
MORE: NBA World Reacts to Luka Dončić’s Performance in Lakers-Warriors Game
However, even on such a dominating night, Ayton’s performance left a lot to be desired. Whether it was giving up three consecutive layups or a mediocre stat line of 4 points and 10 rebounds, alongside the worst plus/minus among all starters, he wasn’t the main reason for the team’s overall dominance.
Brought to the team as a member of the buyout market in the offseason, Ayton is with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season only. A strong year could have given him a longer contract in the summer, but so far, his showing has left a lot to be desired.
