While we’ve seen plenty of storylines across the NBA this past week ranging from trade rumors to gaudy individual performances, perhaps none is as intriguing as the evident beef between Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and former NBA player Charles Barkley. James had some harsh words for the TNT NBA analyst after Barkley called his request for another playmaker “inappropriate” and “whiny.”
While Barkley was an elite player during his heyday, he wasn’t able to win that elusive championship and claimed that the comments made by James were personal. When it comes to bashing Barkley and questioning his legacy, LeBron isn’t the only NBA player who has something to say to Chuck. In fact, one such colleague is Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green who has never been one to hold his tongue. Following from a podcast hosted by Marcus Thompson II of San Jose Mercury News:
“I’m all for destroying Barkley,” Green said. “You know, Barkley talk a lot. A whole lot for a guy who has not won a championship. … I think Shaq should talk about the champions. Kenny (Smith) should talk about the champions. Ernie (Johnson) can talk about the champions. When it comes time to speak about someone who has a championship, Barkley should be muted. You know how on … “Around the Horn” where they just ice somebody out on the screen? They should be be able to do that with Barkley any time the name of a champion come up.”
While it’s well documented that James and Green aren’t the best of friends dating back to the previous two finals matchups, they see eye-to-eye on Barkley. With Draymond vocalizing his support for the comments James made, you have to wonder how many other NBA players view the ex-Phoenix Sun in the same light. While the lack of rings for Barkley can frequently make him the target of slander from various NBA players, he was still an elite NBA talent.
Now with James being supported by Dwyane Wade and Draymond Green, let’s see if Barkley has any more run-ins with infuriated superstars over comments they thought were out of line in the near future.
