LeBron James rips ‘hater’ Charles Barkley

NEW YORK, USA – LeBron James defended himself after remarks from retired NBA star Charles Barkley, now a television commentator, saying James was “inappropriate” and “whiny” in calling on ownership to boost the Cavs’ talent level and would never be considered among the NBA’s all-time top-5 players.

“He’s a hater,” James told ESPN. “What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV? I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that.”

James also noted checkered moments from Barkley’s past.

“I’m not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid,” James said. 

“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 – 14 years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that.”

Chicago guard Dwyane Wade, another former Miami Heat teammate of James, was pleased to see his friend fire back verbally.

“Thank God he finally said something,” Wade told ESPN. “LeBron, a lot of guys take a lot of shots at him, for whatever reason.

“(Barkley) acts like he just walked on water. I like the fact that LeBron called him out and told him about (himself) a little bit. Humble yourself. LeBron is who he is. We all have flaws, but when your flaws are a little bit more then you should shut up.”

This comes after James has called upon owner Dan Gilbert to add a veteran playmaker to the roster, preferably as a reserve to star point guard Kyrie Irving.

The team will test free agents with veteran point guards Mario Chalmers and Kirk Hinrich among those who will work out for the team Wednesday, February 1 (Thursday in Manila) before the Cavaliers play host to Minnesota.

The group also is said to include former New Orleans forward Lance Stephenson, with the report saying sources believe one of the players from the tryout could be signed before the mid-February break for the NBA All-Star Game. – Rappler.com