Credit: Associated Press
LeBron James Lets Loose on Charles Barkley; ‘He’s a Hater’
LeBron James is done of Charles Barkley’s antics.
Charles Barkley has been an analyst at The NBA on TNT for years now, and continuously speaks his mind on whatever subject he feels like. His outlandish, laughable blabber has made the show a comedy special with a touch of basketball. All in all, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal do a splendid job covering the NBA… then there’s Barkley.
Recently, Barkley took a strong jab at three-time NBA champion and four-time Most Valuable Player LeBron James by questioning “King James’” leadership. The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently 7-8 in the month of January; the worst calendar month a James-led team has had since 2006.
Barkley thinks James is too blame, while LeBron thought otherwise, going off on the outspoken TNT analyst in a postgame interview with ESPN after Cleveland’s 104-97 loss to Dallas on Monday night.
“He’s a hater,” James told ESPN. “What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV?”
Charles Barkley has thrown shade at LeBron James a number of times over recent years, constantly bashing him for nonsense. He once called The Decision—James’ 2010 television special on his decision to join the Miami Heat a “punk move.”
“I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that,” James said.
Then, LeBron James let loose on Barkley and his colorful past.
“I’m not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas. I never said, ‘I’m not a role model.’ I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying. “All I’ve done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. Fourteen years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that.”
“Go watch the ’93 Finals when John Paxson hit the shot,” James said. “Barkley and Jordan were laughing and joking with each other during one of the games while somebody’s shooting a free throw. In the Finals. But, oh, nobody were friends back then.”
LeBron James’ words spoke for the league; players and coaches are fed up with Barkley’s continuous criticism. Love him or hate him, Charles Barkley deserved this one.
