Opening night was a nervous one for the Lakers: in San Francisco against the Warriors, the Lakers played without LeBron, and center Deandre Ayton was limited to 10 points and 6 rebounds. After the final buzzer, Charles Barkley, an NBA legend, immediately identified the team's X-factor. In his view, it is Ayton who will define the Lakers' ceiling in the battle with the West's top teams.
Single Point of Focus: Why Ayton Is Under the Microscope
— Charles, did you watch the whole game or focus on one thing?
— Honestly? I had one priority — Deandre Ayton. I said it on air: if he's bad, the Lakers won't withstand competition from the West's leading teams. In the opener he had 10 points and 6 rebounds — that's not the level of impact required from a starting big.
Playing Without LeBron: Who Takes the Leader's Shots
— LeBron didn't suit up. What did you expect from the center in that situation?
— He had to be "hot" from the first minute. When LeBron is out, someone has to take his shot volume and responsibility. For Ayton this is the perfect window: a baseline "20+10." And even that is modest. In such conditions he should be scoring 25 — that's "should," not "can."
Red Flag: Not About Stats, but Rhythm and Aggression
— What specifically disappointed you about Ayton's performance?
— It's not just the numbers. It's about the pace of decisions and aggression in the paint. A center of this caliber must impose contact, win position before the catch, punish any switches, and close possessions with strong rebounding. When the leader rests, the big has to set the tone — run the floor in early offense, demand the ball on the block, crash the offensive glass. I didn't see that "fire."
No Discounts in the West: What It Takes Against Elite Teams
— What happens if the low-aggression scenario from Ayton repeats?
— Then the Lakers won't cope with the conference heavyweights. The density of elite teams in the West is too high: you can't stand in line for shots — you have to dictate terms. A team with a strong frontcourt gets insurance on defense and easy points on offense. Without Ayton's dominance, the Lakers will lack both components.
Plan for Tomorrow: How the Center Can Raise His Impact Immediately
— What would your action plan be for Deandre in the very next game?
— Three things. First — tempo. Early post-ups and quick rolls out of the pick-and-roll must be the rule, not the exception. Second — discipline on the glass: every opponent miss is a chance for contact and a rebound, especially on the offensive end. Third — conviction in decisions: if you catch it deep, attack without hesitation. The team needs a player who can tilt the game every quarter.
Team Context: Responsibility Is Shared, but the Emphasis Is in the Paint
— Isn't that too much pressure on one person?
— Basketball is a team game, and I'm not removing responsibility from the others. But the Lakers' construction assumes the center is the key node of balance. His level of aggression directly affects the shot quality of teammates on the perimeter and the opponents' defensive schemes. If Deandre sets the tone, it becomes easier for everyone else — from ball-handlers to corner shooters.
Barkley's Bottom Line: The Lakers' Ceiling Equals Ayton's Level
— Your short verdict on the Lakers after the Warriors game?
— The team has potential, but without a powerful, fired-up Ayton it remains theoretical. Nights without LeBron are a litmus test for character and ambition. For me it's simple: if Deandre comes out and plays at a leader's volume, the Lakers contend for the top. If not, it'll be very tough against the West's best.
