Charles Barkley isn’t buying the LeBron James-to-Philadelphia buzz, and he’s not softening his stance on the GOAT argument either.
On Unfiltered, Barkley said the idea of James landing with the 76ers is already being framed the wrong way, especially with the way he views the forward’s career choices.
“That ship has sailed,” Barkley said. “I’ve said this, the biggest criticism of LeBron James is always being that he packs his team.
Because he’s always packed his team, because he’s chasing this imaginary Michael Jordan ghost, which he need to let go… I love LeBron. He spends more time talking about he’s the GOAT, and Michael Jordan says I never say I’m the GOAT.
And then you got these people who argue all the time, which is stupid.”
James has called himself the greatest of all time on multiple occasions, while Jordan has remained the more common pick for that label. Jordan also believes there is no such thing as a GOAT in basketball, which is part of why the debate never seems to end.
Barkley, though, wants no part of the argument. He said he believes Jordan belongs at the top and doesn’t even place James ahead of Kobe Bryant.
The Hall of Famer also made clear that he doesn’t want James chasing another superteam setup. In his view, the cleaner move would be a return to Cleveland.
“He should go back to Cleveland and finish his career there,” Barkley said. “If he goes to Philly, people going to say he’s ring chasing to catch Michael.
If he goes to Golden State, they’re going to say he’s ring chasing. He don’t have no affiliation to Philadelphia or Golden State.
What he does have is his hometown team, who listen, I’ll be honest with you guys, if he goes to the Cavaliers… they’re probably going to be favored to win the East, in my opinion, because they got a good team.
“They’re lacking leadership,” Barkley continued. “And LeBron’s a great leader. And to me, it’ll be a fitting way for him to finish his career, in my opinion.”
The Cavaliers look like the most likely destination, and Barkley has already pointed to leadership as a reason James could help. During the Eastern Conference Finals, he said James would help address that issue. Even so, Barkley made it clear that where James lands won’t change his view on the larger debate.
When asked again about the best players he has ever seen, Barkley gave the same order.
“The three best basketball players I’ve ever seen in order, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James,” Barkley said. “Listen, we all got our own opinions.
Some people think Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] is there. But the three best basketball players I’ve seen were Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron.
“And I’ll tell you guys the difference,” Barkley continued. “Nobody ever said Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant was a nice guy.
Now, LeBron’s a nice guy… Michael and Kobe, they want to kill you at all costs. That’s what separates them, in my opinion.
Everybody like LeBron. He’s a nice man.
He’s a great, great basketball player. But them other two guys, they were fanatics.
“I mean, they were dangerous,” Barkley added. “… So when I hear that debate, I said, you can pick who you want to. But if you talk about guys who singularly only care about winning, I’ve never seen anybody like Michael and Kobe.”
Barkley’s bottom line hasn’t moved. Even if James ends up back in Cleveland and even if another title follows, he doesn’t see that changing his mind.
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