As an NBA analyst, Charles Barkley is known to speak his mind openly. Recently he said a brutally honest comment about LeBron James and his dispute with the team’s management. James who has already been frustrated with the Cavaliers losing streak fired back at Barkley, calling him hater.
In an interview with ESPN, James expressed his view on Barkley’s comment after Cavaliers lost 97-104 against Dallas Mavericks on Monday, Jan. 30. He called Barkley a hater and questioned his credibility.
Prior to that, Barkley who is now an NBA analyst criticized James for his complaint regarding the weak roster. He bluntly said James as whiny on “NBA on TNT” talks show. James who was frustrated with the losing streak of Cavaliers threw tantrum at Barkley after the game.
Barkley adhered to his opinion as reported by FOX Sports. In an Waddle & Silvy ESPN radio show he stated that as an analyst he never get personal on the players.
“I stick by what I said, I’m not going to make this personal,” Barkley said and reiterated his comment. “He was all whiny last week.”
Since his playing days in the 1980’s to 1990’s, Barkley was known for his brazen comment which attracted audience. During the first appearance of the NBA players in Olympic Games in the 1992 Barcelona, he became the team mascot and sport journalists waited for his comment.
Now, as he became commentator, Barkley continue his trait. His blatant and unapologetic comment to NBA players have made his show with Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith “Inside the NBA” on ESPN received a very good ratings.
He criticized James’ ambition to become one of the greatest player in NBA as fruitless. He said that James will never achieve the all-time NBA top five players among Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James who is known to consider himself as greatest player and superstar was angry about that comment.
Watch the highlight of Barkley’s comment which angered James below:
