Barkley on LeBron James: “He’s Just Old”
Sciatica or not, Charles Barkley has no doubts – LeBron’s problem isn’t his back, it’s his age. Period
LeBron James hasn’t played a single game this season, yet his name is still dominating the conversation. At 40 years old and entering his 22nd NBA season, the Lakers superstar continues to deal with a lingering sciatica issue that has delayed his debut.
Doctors have described his recovery as “moving in the right direction,” but Charles Barkley, true to form, didn’t hold back during his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show:
He’s just old. Everybody gets old. He says it’s sciatica… You know what that means, Dan? Yeah, it means his back hurts.
Charles Barkley
The former Phoenix Suns legend doubled down:
Every old person’s back hurts. You can call it sciatica, you can throw fancy medical terms at it, but the truth is, LeBron’s just old.
Charles Barkley
In his trademark blunt style, Barkley made it clear that even a generational athlete like LeBron James can’t escape the undefeated opponent known as time. When the body starts sending warning signs, no amount of training or discipline can stop biology.
Jokes aside, Barkley’s comments touch on a bigger question: how much longer can LeBron compete at the highest level? After two decades of dominance, the line between remarkable longevity and physical decline is growing thinner with each passing season.