For a guy that has never won an NBA championship, Charles Barkley sure is picky. While doing an interview with Fanhouse Thursday night, Barkley had this to say regarding James and his decision to leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers to pursue a title with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat:
"He's got to win multiple championships to make that situation work, at least two. If not, his legacy is going to take a serious hit.''
While doing an interview with ESPN Radio 103.3 a few days ago, Barkley called the decision by James a “punk move.” During his interview with Fanhouse, the Hall of Famer decided to backtrack a bit on that statement.
"I should have never used that word,'' said Barkley, sounding at first as if was an apology. "It was bull (bleep). Bull (bleep) is a better word.''
Barkley also noted the ill-advised public relations decisions that James has been making as of late:
"He took out the full page ad and didn't mention Cleveland,'' Barkley said of James, who took out the ad in the Akron Beacon Journal in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and thanked fans there, although James later did thank Cleveland fans at an Akron event. "He's making himself more of a public enemy.
"This thing that he's taking mental notes, I'm bothered by him taking mental notes,'' Barkley said. "He thinks he can't get criticized. Every player who ever played the game has been criticized. I played against Michael Jordan. They said he couldn't win in the beginning (of his career before later winning six titles). It's the notion you can't get criticized I have a problem with.''
Above all, Barkley didn’t like that James didn’t forewarn Cavaliers management before going on an ESPN special to announce his intentions to leave the team. Also, while he didn’t criticize James’ decision to join the Heat, Barkley made it a point to mention that he wouldn’t have made the same move.
"He's a two-time defending MVP,'' Barkley said. "He doesn't leave his city. They (players) come to him. If I'm the man, I'm not going to go anywhere else. They got to come to me. He's going to Dwyane Wade's team any way you slice it.
"I got no problem with him leaving Cleveland. But he could have handled it in a different way. That show was ridiculous and dancing on the stage was ridiculous. (James should have said to Cleveland), 'I thank you all for everything, but I'm going to go and play in Miami now.'''
Again, it’s important to note that Barkley is considered the poster-boy for great players who never won a title. If he, at this point, still thinks that “being the guy” is more important than winning a championship, that goes a long way in explaining why he’s ringless after a very impressive career.
Months later, with the situation and “The Decision” having officially sunk in, have people’s opinion on it changed?
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