Charles Barkley Slams ESPN's 'Lakers Saved The NBA' Claim: A Dishonest History

The debate over the Lakers' role in saving the NBA has been a contentious one, with many claiming that the team's resurgence in the 1990s was the key to the league's success. However, this narrative has been widely disputed by many, including NBA legend Charles Barkley, who recently slammed ESPN's claim that the Lakers "saved the NBA." In this article, we'll explore the complexities of this issue and examine the actual events that led to the NBA's resurgence.

The NBA was in a state of turmoil in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with many teams struggling to find success. The league had lost its star player, Magic Johnson, to the demanding schedule of the NBA playoffs, and many teams were struggling to adapt to the changing landscape. However, in 1991, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Shaquille O'Neal, a dominant center who would go on to lead the team to three consecutive NBA championships.

But the Lakers' success was not solely due to O'Neal's presence. The team also had a talented supporting cast, including James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Nick Van Exel. Additionally, the Lakers had a strong front office and coaching staff, led by coach Del Harris and general manager Jerry Buss. These factors combined to make the Lakers one of the most successful teams in the league during the 1990s.

So, did the Lakers really "save" the NBA? The answer is complex. While the Lakers' success was certainly a major factor in the league's resurgence, it was not the sole reason. The NBA's growth and popularity in the 1990s were also due to a number of other factors, including the rise of the Charlotte Hornets, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Controversy Surrounding the Lakers' Supremacy

One of the main criticisms of ESPN's claim that the Lakers "saved the NBA" is that it downplays the contributions of other teams and players. Many argue that the Lakers' success was not a single event, but rather a culmination of a number of factors, including the growth of the league's popularity, the rise of other stars, and the strategic decisions made by front offices and coaching staff.

For example, the Charlotte Hornets, led by James Worthy and Dell Curry, had a strong season in 1991-1992, finishing with a 46-36 record and making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Similarly, the Seattle SuperSonics, led by Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, had a strong season in 1993-1994, finishing with a 63-19 record and making the NBA Finals.

The Role of Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal is often credited with leading the Lakers to their three consecutive championships in the early 2000s. However, his presence was not the sole reason for the team's success. O'Neal was an incredibly dominant player, but he was also surrounded by talented teammates, including Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, and Robert Horry.

The Lakers' Supporting Cast

The Lakers had a number of talented players during the 1990s, including:

• James Worthy: A versatile forward who was a key contributor to the Lakers' success.
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: A dominant center who played for the Lakers from 1975 to 1989 and helped the team win five championships.
• Nick Van Exel: A talented point guard who played for the Lakers from 1993 to 1998 and helped the team win two championships.
• Robert Horry: A key contributor to the Lakers' success, Horry played for the team from 1996 to 2003 and helped them win three championships.

The Lakers' Front Office and Coaching Staff

The Lakers had a strong front office and coaching staff during the 1990s, including:

• Jerry Buss: The owner of the Lakers, Buss was instrumental in the team's success during the 1990s.
• Del Harris: The head coach of the Lakers from 1991 to 1999, Harris was a key contributor to the team's success.
• Rudy Tomjanovich: The Lakers' assistant coach from 1993 to 1999, Tomjanovich was a key contributor to the team's success.

The Impact of the Lakers' Success

The Lakers' success in the 1990s had a number of impacts on the NBA, including:

• The rise of the NBA's popularity: The Lakers' success helped to increase the NBA's popularity, both domestically and internationally.
• The growth of the league's playoff structure: The Lakers' success helped to increase the number of teams participating in the playoffs, and the league's playoff structure was expanded to include more teams.
• The rise of the NBA's social and charitable initiatives: The Lakers' success helped to increase the league's social and charitable initiatives, including the NBA Cares program.

The NBA's Growth and Expansion

The NBA's growth and expansion during the 1990s were a number of factors, including:

• The rise of new teams: The NBA expanded to new markets during the 1990s, including Charlotte, Minnesota, and Toronto.
• The growth of the league's popularity: The Lakers' success helped to increase the NBA's popularity, both domestically and internationally.
• The increase in player salaries: The NBA's growth and expansion during the 1990s were also due to an increase in player salaries, which helped to attract top talent to the league.

The Impact of the Lakers' Success on Other Teams

The Lakers' success had a number of impacts on other teams in the league, including:

• The