Barkley takes aim at LeBron James: “He’s always built super teams”
Charles Barkley doesn’t approve of LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. The NBA legend explains why he continues to criticize LeBron – and what it would take for him to become the GOAT
Not everyone welcomed LeBron James to Philadelphia with open arms. While many see the 76ers as legitimate championship contenders, Charles Barkley views the situation very differently, once again pointing to what he believes has always been the biggest flaw in LeBron’s career.
Speaking with Stephen A. Smith just hours after the official announcement, the former NBA MVP didn’t hold back, repeating a criticism he has leveled at James for years.
Barkley: “You ruined my day”
As is often the case, Barkley opened with a joke.
I was having a great day until you ruined it. I was on my way to play golf, and then I had to turn around because of this news. You really made me mad on a Friday!
Charles Barkley
Behind the humor, however, was genuine disappointment. Barkley admitted he had hoped for a very different ending to LeBron’s career.
I was surprised. I was hoping he’d go back to Cleveland
Charles Barkley
“He has no connection to Philadelphia”
According to Barkley, the move to the 76ers is difficult to understand from an emotional standpoint.
He has no connection to Philadelphia, and none to Golden State either. If he’d gone back to Miami, I could’ve understood it. But honestly, I was hoping he’d return to Cleveland
Charles Barkley
For the former Sixers star, a return to the Cavaliers would have carried far greater meaning than joining a team already built to contend immediately.
The same criticism: “He’s always built super teams”
The heart of Barkley’s argument is once again centered on super teams.
In his view, the main criticism of LeBron has remained unchanged throughout his career – even after signing with Philadelphia.
The criticism we’ve had for years is always the same: he’s always built teams full of stars. It happened in Miami, it happened in Cleveland, it happened with the Lakers, and now it’s happening again in Philadelphia
Charles Barkley
Barkley made his stance crystal clear.
I’ll keep feeling the same way. He’s always chosen to play on loaded teams
Charles Barkley
Two straight championships could change everything
Despite his criticism, Barkley also left the door open in the GOAT debate.
According to him, there is one scenario that could completely change his opinion of LeBron James.
If he wins two straight championships and retires at 44 or 45, I’d say something I’ve never said before: I probably just watched the greatest basketball player of all time
Charles Barkley
For Barkley, one more ring wouldn’t be enough.
I didn’t say one – I said two. If he wins two more in a row, you’d have to be crazy not to call him the greatest ever
Charles Barkley
LeBron’s greatest challenge yet
In Barkley’s eyes, the road is still a long one. At nearly 42 years old, LeBron must first prove he can stay healthy through another demanding NBA season.
If he were to win a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers, he would make history as the first player ever to win an NBA title with four different franchises.
But according to Barkley, ending the GOAT debate once and for all would require something even more extraordinary: back-to-back championships.