LeBron James airs out Charles Barkley
- Thread starter KingTaharqa
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I always thought he was a hack.I liked that Bron was like he can come see me anytime.
It is HILARIOUS that dudes on here acting like Michael Jordan wasn't the most sensitive and petty player in NBA history
^^^^
Barkley was one of my FAVORITES of all time, I got HIS sneakers before I got EVER got Jordan...my dad HATED him because he KNEW people who KNEW him That is NOT a good dude.
But on the court? He was a BEAST...who failed.
Lets be real
if Boogie plays 5 more years and maintains these numbers, aint he Chuck? And if he WINS a championship, aint he better?
Chuck cannot and I repeat CANNOT legitimately criticize someone's HEART and inability to win the big game.
He needs to look in the NBA mirror FIRST.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...valiers-throws-gauntlet-charles-barkley-hater
DALLAS -- After years of being fodder for Charles Barkley to comment on in his role as an analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA," LeBron James has heard enough.
"He's a hater," James told ESPN of Barkley following the Cleveland Cavaliers' 104-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. "What makes what he says credible? Because he's on TV?"
James had been stewing the past couple of days after Barkley took James to task for the four-time MVP calling out the Cavs for needing to fortify the roster with another playmaker to have a realistic shot at a repeat title.
"Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above," Barkley said of James last week. "The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted. They have the highest payroll in NBA history. He wanted J.R. Smith last summer, they paid him. He wanted [Iman] Shumpert last summer. They brought in Kyle Korver. He's the best player in the world. Does he want all of the good players? He don't want to compete? He is an amazing player. They're the defending champs."
Barkley has consistently needled James, telling HBO's Bill Simmons over the summer that James would "never" ascend to top-five status in NBA history over Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain, and going back all the way to 2010 and James' "The Decision" television special, when Barkley told ESPN Radio 103.3 FM in Dallas/Fort Worth that it was a "punk move" for James to leave the Cavs to take up with the Miami Heat.
James initially took the high road when asked about Barkley's recent comments, saying they were "good for the ratings," while defending his competitive spirit.
But after ESPN followed up with a story asking Tristan Thompson for his thoughts on Barkley's comments, James chose to speak out again in ardent fashion.
"I'm not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," James told ESPN. "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."
James, whose friendships with Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony have also been called into question, recalled watching a 1993 NBA Finals game between Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Barkley's Phoenix Suns and being surprised what he saw on his screen.
"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."
Bringing up Anthony reminded James of another basketball luminary who has tweaked him this season -- New York Knicks president Phil Jackson -- and he had a story to share about Jackson as well.
"I went to see Melo at the Garden two years ago when we were in New York," James said. "They played Portland. I went up to a suite at halftime, and Phil Jackson didn't say one word to me."
This fall, Jackson brought up James unprompted in an interview with ESPN's Jackie MacMullan and described James and his close circle of business associates -- Rich Paul, Maverick Carter and Randy Mims -- as his "posse."
"I'm here to win ballgames and take care of my teammates and take care of my, what's that word, oh, my 'posse,'" James said, animatedly.
He had more words for Barkley too.
"I know he wanted to retire a long time ago, but he can't," James said. "He's stuck up on that stage every week."
James then issued a challenge, of sorts.
"And if this makes him want to talk to me, the schedule's out there," James said. "He knows every road arena I'll be in. Don't just come up to me at All-Star and shake my hand and smile."
It was James' second bout of frustration shared with the media in a week, as the Cavs finished out January going 7-8. It was the first time James has had a losing record in a calendar month with at least 10 games played since February 2006 -- his third season in the NBA -- when the Cavaliers went 6-8, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
James also spoke up about the perception he and his inner circle face as young, successful black businessmen, believing that identity being so rare in the power structure of professional sports makes him and his partners targets.
"I collect one paycheck from this," James said of his role with the Cavs. "There's the owner, Griff's [David Griffin] the GM, I'm the player. Screw Charles Barkley."
James put on his baseball cap and offered a parting thought as he prepared to leave the visitors locker room at the American Airlines Center to head to the airport for a flight back to Cleveland.
"I'm tired of biting my tongue," James said. "There's a new sheriff in town."
DALLAS -- After years of being fodder for Charles Barkley to comment on in his role as an analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA," LeBron James has heard enough.
"He's a hater," James told ESPN of Barkley following the Cleveland Cavaliers' 104-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. "What makes what he says credible? Because he's on TV?"
James had been stewing the past couple of days after Barkley took James to task for the four-time MVP calling out the Cavs for needing to fortify the roster with another playmaker to have a realistic shot at a repeat title.
"Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above," Barkley said of James last week. "The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted. They have the highest payroll in NBA history. He wanted J.R. Smith last summer, they paid him. He wanted [Iman] Shumpert last summer. They brought in Kyle Korver. He's the best player in the world. Does he want all of the good players? He don't want to compete? He is an amazing player. They're the defending champs."
Barkley has consistently needled James, telling HBO's Bill Simmons over the summer that James would "never" ascend to top-five status in NBA history over Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain, and going back all the way to 2010 and James' "The Decision" television special, when Barkley told ESPN Radio 103.3 FM in Dallas/Fort Worth that it was a "punk move" for James to leave the Cavs to take up with the Miami Heat.
James initially took the high road when asked about Barkley's recent comments, saying they were "good for the ratings," while defending his competitive spirit.
But after ESPN followed up with a story asking Tristan Thompson for his thoughts on Barkley's comments, James chose to speak out again in ardent fashion.
"I'm not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," James told ESPN. "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."
James, whose friendships with Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony have also been called into question, recalled watching a 1993 NBA Finals game between Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Barkley's Phoenix Suns and being surprised what he saw on his screen.
"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."
Bringing up Anthony reminded James of another basketball luminary who has tweaked him this season -- New York Knicks president Phil Jackson -- and he had a story to share about Jackson as well.
"I went to see Melo at the Garden two years ago when we were in New York," James said. "They played Portland. I went up to a suite at halftime, and Phil Jackson didn't say one word to me."
This fall, Jackson brought up James unprompted in an interview with ESPN's Jackie MacMullan and described James and his close circle of business associates -- Rich Paul, Maverick Carter and Randy Mims -- as his "posse."
"I'm here to win ballgames and take care of my teammates and take care of my, what's that word, oh, my 'posse,'" James said, animatedly.
He had more words for Barkley too.
"I know he wanted to retire a long time ago, but he can't," James said. "He's stuck up on that stage every week."
James then issued a challenge, of sorts.
"And if this makes him want to talk to me, the schedule's out there," James said. "He knows every road arena I'll be in. Don't just come up to me at All-Star and shake my hand and smile."
It was James' second bout of frustration shared with the media in a week, as the Cavs finished out January going 7-8. It was the first time James has had a losing record in a calendar month with at least 10 games played since February 2006 -- his third season in the NBA -- when the Cavaliers went 6-8, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
James also spoke up about the perception he and his inner circle face as young, successful black businessmen, believing that identity being so rare in the power structure of professional sports makes him and his partners targets.
"I collect one paycheck from this," James said of his role with the Cavs. "There's the owner, Griff's [David Griffin] the GM, I'm the player. Screw Charles Barkley."
James put on his baseball cap and offered a parting thought as he prepared to leave the visitors locker room at the American Airlines Center to head to the airport for a flight back to Cleveland.
"I'm tired of biting my tongue," James said. "There's a new sheriff in town."
I'm not even a fan of Charles Barkley, but I agree with what he said.
Lebron is anti-competitive. I have never seen another player, with so much hype, ever be considered anti-competitive. I would mention Garnett deferring so much at the end of the games, but I'm not quite sure he was ever as highly regarded as a Lebron.
In any case. . .
You're telling me someone who says 'Not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7, not 8 ..." is a competitor?
Then he turns around, goes home, and orchestrates ANOTHER big three? We're not talking about good players, but players who were no. 1 option, All-Stars before Lebron played with them. I don't even like Tim Duncan - at ALL - but he didn't have two no. 1 options and won. Kobe never had two no. 1 options and still won. Jordan never had two no. 1 options and still won. Magic did, 'cause I feel Worthy is the fucking MAN if he doesn't play with the Lakers. In Magic's defense, while still very good, Kareem was no longer prime, super-dominant Kareem. As much as people talked about the greatest of Mchale, he didn't start many years. Parish was good, but not GREAT. Shaq never played with two elites. To be frank, in the Lakers three-peat years, after Kobe, there was a steep dropoff.
Duncan, Kobe - all the players Lebron would be comparable to - could have left their teams when they weren't winning and team up with two All-Stars. Everybody needs help. Nobody is saying don't get help, but Lebron wants more than help. Hell, he got Kyrie, Love, Tristan, and other decent players, and STILL think he needs more? If he wasn't so adamant about playing with two All-Stars, he probably could have a hellified bench. You trying to tell me Kyrie and Lebron aren't competitive if they have a solid supporting cast of players? They NEED Kevin Love?
You're telling me someone who wouldn't even enter the dunk contest, despite the fact that he told, I think, Cheryl Miller during a dunk contest that he'd enter it, when you consider all other facts, isn't afraid to compete?
I've long felt Lebron was a 'Loophole Legend'. If he can find a loophole, he'll exploit it to death. Close the lanes, and you can make him mortal. Open them up, and he's God ........ if you don't have a competent rim protector. The moment the rim wasn't being protected by Bogut anymore, Lebron suddenly became Superman again, and the Cavs turned the series around. Wasn't dude for the longest shooting sub-30 percent in NBA Finals outside of five feet????? What kind of bullshit is that? You can't shoot outside of five feet, nigga?????? I'm absolutely sure he was shooting horribly outside of five-feet. Why isn't that talked about? It doesn't fit the narrative the media prefers? I watched the guy in the NBA Finals last year, and it was like, with the exception of one game where he was like 'Fuck it!' and just started letting it fly, he was normal if he couldn't get a layup or transition basket.
Not only do I feel dude is anti-competitive, but dude was literally one Ray Allen three, and a Bogut injury away from being 1-7 in the NBA Finals, with PLAYERS HE SELECTED on most of those teams!
All of this is why when I hear Lebron is top five all-time, I just lose all interest in that discussion. Nobody who played post-Jordan is legit top-five, in my opinion. Top ten? Sure. Top five? Not to me. Weaker competition. Too flawed. Lebron and Kobe, while extremely talented in their own ways, were incredibly flawed. Tim Duncan just wasn't as great as they were, in my opinion. He just never played at that transcendent level. Talent-wise, I think he fits with a Paul Pierce. But he had a good situation and handled his business.
I thought Dennis was bugging when he said Lebron would be average in the 90s, and I still do, but not entirely. In a league with great interior defense, based on what I've seen, Lebron is hardly the man he is in that era. Shooting piss poor percentages in Finals outside of five feet; often showing signs of being less than great with half-decent rim protectors; and Eastern Conference teams with real competition?
Almost, Dennis.
. . . and I have become Lebron's cranrab, only I don't obsessively post about Lebron.
Lebron is anti-competitive. I have never seen another player, with so much hype, ever be considered anti-competitive. I would mention Garnett deferring so much at the end of the games, but I'm not quite sure he was ever as highly regarded as a Lebron.
In any case. . .
You're telling me someone who says 'Not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7, not 8 ..." is a competitor?
Then he turns around, goes home, and orchestrates ANOTHER big three? We're not talking about good players, but players who were no. 1 option, All-Stars before Lebron played with them. I don't even like Tim Duncan - at ALL - but he didn't have two no. 1 options and won. Kobe never had two no. 1 options and still won. Jordan never had two no. 1 options and still won. Magic did, 'cause I feel Worthy is the fucking MAN if he doesn't play with the Lakers. In Magic's defense, while still very good, Kareem was no longer prime, super-dominant Kareem. As much as people talked about the greatest of Mchale, he didn't start many years. Parish was good, but not GREAT. Shaq never played with two elites. To be frank, in the Lakers three-peat years, after Kobe, there was a steep dropoff.
Duncan, Kobe - all the players Lebron would be comparable to - could have left their teams when they weren't winning and team up with two All-Stars. Everybody needs help. Nobody is saying don't get help, but Lebron wants more than help. Hell, he got Kyrie, Love, Tristan, and other decent players, and STILL think he needs more? If he wasn't so adamant about playing with two All-Stars, he probably could have a hellified bench. You trying to tell me Kyrie and Lebron aren't competitive if they have a solid supporting cast of players? They NEED Kevin Love?
You're telling me someone who wouldn't even enter the dunk contest, despite the fact that he told, I think, Cheryl Miller during a dunk contest that he'd enter it, when you consider all other facts, isn't afraid to compete?
I've long felt Lebron was a 'Loophole Legend'. If he can find a loophole, he'll exploit it to death. Close the lanes, and you can make him mortal. Open them up, and he's God ........ if you don't have a competent rim protector. The moment the rim wasn't being protected by Bogut anymore, Lebron suddenly became Superman again, and the Cavs turned the series around. Wasn't dude for the longest shooting sub-30 percent in NBA Finals outside of five feet????? What kind of bullshit is that? You can't shoot outside of five feet, nigga?????? I'm absolutely sure he was shooting horribly outside of five-feet. Why isn't that talked about? It doesn't fit the narrative the media prefers? I watched the guy in the NBA Finals last year, and it was like, with the exception of one game where he was like 'Fuck it!' and just started letting it fly, he was normal if he couldn't get a layup or transition basket.
Not only do I feel dude is anti-competitive, but dude was literally one Ray Allen three, and a Bogut injury away from being 1-7 in the NBA Finals, with PLAYERS HE SELECTED on most of those teams!
All of this is why when I hear Lebron is top five all-time, I just lose all interest in that discussion. Nobody who played post-Jordan is legit top-five, in my opinion. Top ten? Sure. Top five? Not to me. Weaker competition. Too flawed. Lebron and Kobe, while extremely talented in their own ways, were incredibly flawed. Tim Duncan just wasn't as great as they were, in my opinion. He just never played at that transcendent level. Talent-wise, I think he fits with a Paul Pierce. But he had a good situation and handled his business.
I thought Dennis was bugging when he said Lebron would be average in the 90s, and I still do, but not entirely. In a league with great interior defense, based on what I've seen, Lebron is hardly the man he is in that era. Shooting piss poor percentages in Finals outside of five feet; often showing signs of being less than great with half-decent rim protectors; and Eastern Conference teams with real competition?
Almost, Dennis.
. . . and I have become Lebron's cranrab, only I don't obsessively post about Lebron.
It is one thing to not like someones comments but is is soft to take personal shot at someone. Barkley has never taken personal shot at Lebron
So Chuck...
KD didn't want to compete either?
and
neither did you when you went to the Suns and Houston?
KD didn't want to compete either?
and
neither did you when you went to the Suns and Houston?
Wow. Its funny you say that. I had the purple #34 jersey and stayed with Chucks forces. My pops HATED Barkley back then and saw him as a COON even then. He always said Barkley says dumb shit to get whites attention and that he was a perennial playoff choker. Barkleys shot in 93 over David Robinson in the 2nd round of the playoffs is the only "clutch game winner" I ever recall from him.
You're right, but when Chuck said "he doesn't want to compete", that's a personal attack to a world class athlete.
Right. On the court Chuck did his thing, but he has his career failures as well.
But that mush mouth bastard stay speaking about some shit that hardly makes sense at times.
I've listen to this dude criticize player after player. Not saying he can't because it's part of his job, but Kenny didn't get called out and that's because Kenny is RESPECTFUL and is RESPECTED as a person.
It's not always about basketball just because basketball is involved.
I feel you i cant stand lebron but I get what you sayin chucks coonery has just skyrocketed as of lately.
It hurt because he knows its true.
The least competitive player I ever seen who is as highly regarded as he is.
Well to their credit as of now they are defending Bron
"They have the highest payroll in NBA history," Barkley said. "He wanted J.R. Smith last summer, they paid him. He wanted (Iman) Shumpert last summer. They brought in Kyle Korver. "He's the best player in the world. Does he want all of the good players? He don't wanna compete?"
Least competitive player wouldve lost Game 5 down 3-1 like Kobe and MJ did everytime they were in that situation in their careers. Kobe even blew a 3-1 lead once and quit on his team.
^^^^^^^
You can call it soft or whatever you want to call it. Doesn't really matter in the end.
Barkley got called out on some shit. If Barkely is allowed to be that dude to speak his mind (the no filter commentator), then dammit, Bron should be able to as well.
I'm not going to place no line between a person taking a basketball comment personal. You may think it was overboard or out of line, but in Bron's mind it was personal. And none of us here is Bron, so...
Yes, which is why I feel the way that I do.
He'd be 1-7 if Ray Allen didn't hit that three. They were roping off the damn court they were so sure the Spurs had won. Ray saved the day.
Bogut's interior defense had the Cavs down 3-1, 'cause once he was gone, they turned it around. Lebron was very human until then.
Lebron went to six Finals because he had two no. 1 options playing with him.
But, hey ... just my opinion.
Here is what I don't get...
first off EVERYTHING is personal.
Chuck said similar stuff to MJ and Tiger and they cut him off...
hell so did Gabrielle Union and Tim Duncan's wife
so why ya'll mad at Lebron?
first off EVERYTHING is personal.
Chuck said similar stuff to MJ and Tiger and they cut him off...
hell so did Gabrielle Union and Tim Duncan's wife
so why ya'll mad at Lebron?
you know what is funny?
ALL these dudes trolling trying to defend Chuck's bullsh*t
Lebron said what ALL the same dudes have said about Chuck for YEARS on bgol...
but Lebron had the balls to say it out loud in public and put his name on it...
not HIDE behind a keyboard throwing rocks.
I respect THAT much more.
He was badly coached against Dallas while leading that series and depleted against the Dubs. If we are going to mention hypotheticals, then he could easily be 5-2 in the finals.
This is what it boils down too.
Lebron hates when he is not the center of attention. He also wants an easy path to victory.
"Character diagnosis"
Peace,
Exactly. That fat, lazy, shit talking, hypocritical coon was doing everything in his power to chase a ring towards the end.
Exactly. That fat, lazy, shit talking, hypocritical coon was doing everything in his power to chase a ring towards the end.
My issue is the personal shots. Lebron took it to far in my opinion. If he kept it about basketball than it was fair game.
But he's 3 for 7, and very close to 1 for 7.
Badly coached? Didn't he get shutdown by little niggas? Thats the coaches fault?
I saw a program on NBATV one day where Lebron was answering fan questions. The fan asked Lebron what was his go-to move, and he said he didn't have one, 'He just goes out and play'. Therein lies the Kang's problem - he has no moves. He exploits weak defenses, and loses to strong defenses, UNLESS his broke jumper just happens to be on that game/series.
I've seen this nigga's career too, and while very impressed with his athleticism and IQ, I'm very underwhelmed by his competitive nature and basketball skill.
In Lebron's defense . . .
. . . at least he isn't Tim Duncan: a white-woman lover, and according to his ex-wife, a bisexual. I don't find that hard to believe as he wears a tongue ring, and is a former swimmer. C'mon, son. You can be a straight swimmer, as long as you don't wear a tongue ring. He did both.
. . . at least he isn't Tim Duncan: a white-woman lover, and according to his ex-wife, a bisexual. I don't find that hard to believe as he wears a tongue ring, and is a former swimmer. C'mon, son. You can be a straight swimmer, as long as you don't wear a tongue ring. He did both.
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