Charles Barkley on why Anthony Davis is not in best player conversation: "I don't think he has that killer instinct"
Charles Barkley has been critical of Anthony Davis' development ever since joining the LA Lakers. Barkley thought that Davis would end up becoming the best player in the world. However, Barkley observed that Davis lacks the killer instinct to reach the next level.
In an appearance on "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Barkley and Simmons discussed Davis' wasted potential. The two agreed that the 29-year-old big man is too injury prone to become the best in the world. Barkley explained that Davis needs to assert himself in every game rather than be a second fiddle to LeBron James.
"I said about five or six years ago that dude is gonna be the best player in the world for the next 10 years," Barkley said. "And he's not even in the conversation anymore. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) is the best player in the world right now. I don't think he has that killer instinct.
"You have to have a thing like, 'I'm gonna kick you a** and there's nothing you can do about it.' That's one of the cool things about being a great player. 99.9% of the time you step on the court, you're the best player out there."
Bill Simmons chimed in and said that Anthony Davis might have reached his peak in 2018 with the New Orleans Pelicans. Simmons told Charles Barkley that Davis has not gotten better to be in the conversation of best player in the world. He might not even be the best player for the LA Lakers.
"I've given up on AD having that possibility anymore," Simmons said. "I think it's too late. I think he's had too many injuries. I actually don't think he's gotten better. I felt like he peaked in 2018."
Anthony Davis had the best season of his career in 2018 and averaged 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.6 blocks. Davis also played a career-high 75 regular-season games that year.
Charles Barkley gave Anthony Davis the nickname 'Street Clothes'
Charles Barkley famously gave Anthony Davis the nicknames "Street Clothes" and "Half-Man, Half-a-Season" last year. Davis has been prone to injuries since entering the league in 2012. He missed 42 games last season due to ankle and knee injuries.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times last week, Davis finally responded to Barkley's nicknames for him. The eight-time All-Star insisted that he's not bothered by it and thought that people are using him for ratings. He's only focus is to play 82 games for the LA Lakers this season.
"I don't care what he says," Davis said. "People say stuff for ratings. Like, they got to push their show, push their blog, push their podcast, whatever it is. So, people got to say something to bring in viewers. It is what it is.
"I go out there and play basketball and let them do their job. My job is to hoop. Their job is to talk about me."