Charles Barkley: LeBron James Decision 'Disturbed' Me

Plenty of people have voiced their opinions on LeBron James' decision to go play with the Miami Heat and his one-hour special on ESPN. Former NBA star and TNT personality Charles Barkley expressed his views today on the Dan LeBatard Show.

Although he said James is free to go wherever he wants, Barkley thinks he should have told the Cleveland Cavaliers in advance and disapproved the one-hour special.

"I had a couple of problems about the special," Barkley said. "Thank God I was in Canada and didn't have to watch it, I thought that was stupid."

The Hall-of-Famer also said he was "disturbed" by his decision because he believes "this thing has been planned all along."

When asked about comparing James to Michael Jordan, who said last year that Kobe Bryant is a better player, Barkley quickly stated that he will never be Jordan. "This clearly takes him out of the conversation. He can win as much as he wants to. There would have been something honorable about staying in Cleveland and trying to win it as the man."

You can read the entire interview here.

Comments

[A Yahoo User]

06:59 PM on 08/12/2010

So let me get this straight . . . a guy who spent his life getting drunk, paying prostitutes for sex, spitting on little girls, throwing people though plate glass windows, exhibiting foul and crass behavior at all times, and winning no championship rings is criticizing a guy who has had absolutely NO off the court issues, takes care of his children and girlfriend, is loyal to his friends and family, and is among the top 3 best players in the game because he works at his craft, comes into camp in shape, and works on his game in the off-season, and the mainstream media is siding with the former rather than the latter? Standards for decency in America are eroding and the mainstream media is the primary cause. It's sad really.

[spiralskydancer]

02:26 PM on 07/21/2010

greetings...yeh, LeBron better you should go to LasVegas with Barkley and Jordan instead of giving a few million to charity.....

[EF3]

03:11 PM on 07/20/2010

I likes me some Chuck. Barkley's not afraid to speak his mind and he doesn't care what people think of him. And he's hilarious.

His golf swing? Turrible! Funny,but turrible!

[kwoodberryesq]

05:21 PM on 07/19/2010

Barkley didn't win a championship! Had he aligned himself with Michael and Scottie, he would be wearing the jewelry right now. I have no doubt that James could have secured one without Wade, but now he will secure one with Wade. The only player quite honestly I believe did it without a Robin was Hakeem, everyone else had top shelf talent on his side... Kobe, Michael, Magic, Bird, Shaq, Dr. J, Clyde the Glide...

[apeter20]

01:32 AM on 07/21/2010

"I have no doubt that James could have secured one without Wade, but now he will secure one with Wade"

He clearly had doubts although his team had the best record in the NBA in consecutive seasons and success vs. Lakers, Celtics, Magic, etc.

[Beyonder]

12:16 PM on 08/15/2010

Actually, Barkley was aligned with not only Scottie but also with Hakeem and Clyde in Houston.

Prior to that in Phoenix he had all-star teammates: Dan Majerle, Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Danny Ainge and good role players such as Richard Dumas, Oliver Miller, Mark West.

In Philly he had teammates Moses Malone, Andrew Toney, Dr. J, Bobby Jones, and Maurice Cheeks. He received no rings for three franchises despite being surrounded by championship talent.

So the excuse that Barkley's career lacked the all-star support to bring home the jewelry is rather weak.

[moving violation]

02:07 PM on 07/19/2010

LeBron clearly looked uncomfortable during that circus. Bad advice by his handlers.

[dmsdzinr]

12:49 PM on 07/19/2010

Barkley often plays the Clown, BUT, his comments regarding what James,Wade & Bosh did are SPOT ON!!!

[rhomsky]

11:12 PM on 07/18/2010

That's just turrruble.

[Actionmac]

08:22 PM on 07/18/2010

Maybe Sir. Charles Barkley's advice is the reason he never got a ring...

Anyone still saying he should have informed Cleveland before he announced his decision, even after the owners statements... well just stop and move on.

James has the right to self determination PERIOD.

[tagtron]

09:32 AM on 07/19/2010

Barkley never said he was not free to go wherever he wanted. He mostly objected to the way the announcement was made

[JimR]

12:07 PM on 07/19/2010

"James has the right to self determination PERIOD. "

Nobody said he didn't. But he could have had the decency to notify his employer he wasn't coming back.

[PoliticalMMA]

11:40 PM on 07/19/2010

as of July 1, 2010 the Cleveland Cavaliers were no longer his employers

[exile]

07:42 PM on 07/18/2010

yeah
so really who would want to pass up a 3-way bromance in "south beach"

south beach
south beach
look ma i'm livin in south beach
yeah
you can come to south beach to visit
but i'm not gonna introduce you
to any of my south beach team mates ok

[SuperMoncho]

01:03 PM on 07/18/2010

And your acting skills disturb me Charles Barkley.

[SuperMoncho]

12:55 PM on 07/18/2010

Says the guy who never won a championship.
Do you really think he would have turn down an offer to come to the Bulls and play with Jordan?

Barkley, Reggie Miller and the other ring-less haters can go sob somewhere else, they had their chance.

[Sobeton]

01:12 PM on 07/18/2010

regardless, they are entitled to their opinions which many seem to share.

[John Crandall]

11:17 AM on 07/18/2010

Barkley thought the decision was "trrbl"

[badwalrus]

01:09 PM on 07/17/2010

Lebron = quitter. "The Decision" = cop-out. Bosh = overrated (Abdur-Rahim?) The Heat = Dwayne's team. Kobe = 5 rings and growing. Lakers = dynasty hitting its stride.

Conclusion re Bron-bron's legacy and global brand: historical footnote. He shot it in the foot.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

07:14 PM on 07/17/2010

Agreed. Faved.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

07:14 PM on 07/17/2010

Although I am not a Lakers fan.

[HoosierRadical]

08:39 PM on 07/16/2010

I suspect that Kobe Bryant thinks he is a better B-Ball player than Jordan, but he knows he better not ever say so publicly.

[SuperMoncho]

12:56 PM on 07/18/2010

Hes really good but he is not better then Michael Jordan.

[Musa1]

12:37 AM on 07/19/2010

Somebody flagged you for that reply......LOL. Hilarious.

[Sobeton]

01:02 PM on 07/18/2010

I suspect, you have no idea what Kobe thinks. one thing is certain, MJ said Kobe is the best player in the NBA right now "nuff said".

[exile]

07:45 PM on 07/18/2010

i know one thing kobe thinks...
if we work our assess off 24/7 we will continue to beat the rest of the teams.

what i think
that includes the new bromance in south beach

[HoosierRadical]

02:14 PM on 07/19/2010

Who pinch your panties? Laker stans are hilarious, you guys know your reign has come to an end!

[mfoto1986]

04:51 PM on 07/16/2010

Charles Charles Charles lol. I don't know if its just me, but whenever I'm listening Barkley commentating on TNT, I'm always leaving with the "wtf" expression.