Charles Barkley says he won’t eat until the Lakers win

MANILA, Philippines – The Round Mound of Rebound will be looking much slimmer if he sticks to his promise.

Inside the NBA commentator and 1993 NBA MVP Charles Barkley made a bold promise during a recent broadcast to go on the hunger strike until the Los Angeles Lakers break their season-opening losing streak, which has them at the bottom of the league with the Philadelphia 76ers at 0-5.

The Lakers’ struggles come as the team has been hit by season-ending injuries to veteran Steve Nash and rookie Julius Randle, and as celebrated point guard Jeremy Lin tries to find his rhythm with a new team. Kobe Bryant, the 2008 NBA MVP, has been playing a lot of minutes after coming back from back-to-back injury riddled seasons, shooting 37 times for 39 points in the Lakers’ loss to the Suns on Tuesday.

At least one former Laker – Earvin “Magic” Johnson has found something to be happy about in watching the 36-year-old Bryant create a few more highlights in the twilight of his career.

“I know the Lakers are 0-5, but they are playing exciting basketball and Kobe is worth the price of admission,” tweeted Johnson.

The Lakers’ 0-5 start is the team’s worst in 57 years, when they went 0-7 as the Minneapolis Lakers on their way to a 19-53 record in 1957.

The Lakers will face the 1-3 Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, November 9 (Monday PH time) before hitting the road to face the Memphis Grizzles and New Orleans Pelicans, then playing the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors at home.

If sports handicappers are accurate, Barkley may be back at his playing weight by Thanksgiving. – Rappler.com