Petty LeBron reared his head recently and got basketball fans buzzing. It all started when Charles Barkley, the former NBA star turned TNT commentator who’s never afraid to say how he feels, criticized James for being unhappy with his roster.
How could LeBron be so ungrateful, Chuck wondered, when he has stars like Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving playing alongside him?
LeBron clearly took the criticism personally. He fired way, way back at Chuck, citing many of the mistakes Barkley has made throughout his life.
"I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," LeBron said. "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."
On Thursday, before TNT’s traditional doubleheader, Barkley responded after Kenny Smith asked the former 76er how he felt about LeBron’s words. Barkley's message to LeBron was measured and respectful.
“Most of that is true. I’ve did some stupid things in my life,” he admitted. “That being said, I’ve been doing this job for 15-16 years, I have never said anything personal about a guy…all my criticism of any player or comments of any team is strictly about basketball.”
Check out Charles’ full comments below.
This seems like the best way to handle the situation. Credit to Barkley. Oh, and in case you were wondering what’s going to happen when they inevitably meet at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans?
Seems like it won't be too awkward.
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Good try, good effort.
