Nowadays whenever Charles Barkley talks about LeBron James, he speaks with the utmost respect and admiration for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. However, it was not like this a few years ago when the two butted heads and led to an ugly spat.
A year after winning the most stunning NBA Finals in basketball history, LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers found themselves struggling. After a disappointing outing against an Anthony Davis less New Orleans Pelicans, James called out the Cavaliers front office for not bringing in reinforcements.
He particularly singled out playmaking as the problem and suggested that the Cavaliers got over their championship hangover and did something. His words caught the attention of Charles Barkley, who while on Inside the NBA, said this.
Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above. The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted.
Charles Barkley said
The Hall of Famer added that the Cavaliers did bring in reinforcements as LeBron James wanted. He referred to the additions of JR Smith, Iman Shumpert and Kyle Korver. They were brought in at the behest of their leading superstar and they delivered the franchise its first ever championship.
LeBron James in 2017 on Charles Barkley: “He’s a hater. What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV? I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that. 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.”
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Charles Barkley felt it was excessive complaining from the best player in the world. He felt a championship winning team should be good enough to at least win a lot of games. These comments reached the Akron native, and he did not hold back in replying.
LeBron James shoots back at Charles Barkley
Reporters at the next media session asked the then Cleveland Cavaliers superstar about Barkley’s comments. It seems LeBron James was aware of what the Hall of Famer said, and with a stern face said this.
He’s a hater. What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV? I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that. 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.’ 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.
LeBron James said
James added on to this response by suggesting there is evidence that Charles Barkley used to laugh and joke with Michael Jordan while on the floor. Therefore, the Inside the NBA analyst had no business questioning his friendship with the Banana Boat crew.
This battle of words went viral again after Charles Barkley went on a tirade against the Los Angeles Lakers. He did not mention the 40-year-old superstar, but instead, called out the rest of the team. He instead gloated about what James has done as a model NBA superstar.
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