The Los Angeles Lakers are currently struggling with three consecutive losses over a five-day stretch, and Charles Barkley isn’t holding back in his criticism of the franchise.
Despite the Lakers’ shaky performance, including back-to-back games allowing 127 points, Barkley’s recent comments have focused not just on the team’s woes, but also on LeBron James’ ongoing rivalry with Michael Jordan for the title of greatest player of all time (GOAT).
In a pre-game segment, Barkley placed a parlay bet, confident that LeBron would score over 25 points. However, James fell short of that target, failing to even reach 25 points.
Barkley’s frustration quickly boiled over.
“Yo man, is it my fault LeBron’s a bum? Everybody did good except LeBron, right? Wait, it’s my fault LeBron can’t get 25 points? You mean the greatest scorer in NBA history can’t get me 25 points?” Barkley suggested.
But it wasn’t just the lost bet that riled Barkley. During the pre-game segment, Ernie Johnson pointed out that LeBron was only four 30-point games away from surpassing Michael Jordan in one key category.
This led Barkley to double down on his stance that despite LeBron’s longevity, he still trails Jordan in several stats.
“LeBron has played how many more seasons than Michael Jordan, and he’s still behind him? That’s crazy,” Barkley said.
“For him to be behind MJ, even after playing eight more seasons? Come on, man, you all need to stop this.”
Barkley’s position on the GOAT debate isn’t new. His unwavering loyalty to Michael Jordan dates back over a decade.
In 2010, after LeBron’s infamous decision to join the Miami Heat, Barkley criticized LeBron’s choice and declared that even if LeBron won championships with Miami, he would never surpass Jordan.
He argued that had LeBron stayed in Cleveland and won a title there, it would have done more for his legacy than his time in Miami.
Barkley expressed to ESPN his misgivings about the move.
“There would have been something honorable about staying in Cleveland and trying to win it as ‘The Man,” he suggested at the time.
“He’ll never be Jordan. This clearly takes him out of the conversation.”
