Charles Barkley Gets Some Heat from LeBron James Fans After Shutting Down Comparisons to Michael Jordan

After LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers lost the NBA Finals on Friday night, Charles Barkley wants to shut down any and all comparisons to Michael Jordan for good.

The NBA TV sportscaster said the Cavs falling 108-85 to Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors served as an end to the debate — even though James is an “amazing” player.

“I’m just gon say this: any media person that I see, in person, for the rest of my life, who tries to tell me LeBron James is as good as Michael Jordan,  I’m just going to slap the hell out of them right on the spot,” Barkley says Friday, June 8 following the Cavs’ losing four straight games to Golden State. “Right on the goddamn spot, no question asked. The next person who walks up to me and says LeBron James — who is amazing, amazing — is as good as Michael Jordan, or competes like Michael Jordan, I’m just going to slap the hell out of you right on the spot. And I’m gon take my chances with the judicial system.”

But while Barkley was adamant about the comparisons being void, King James fans stood by their sports star.

Meanwhile, others held the retired Bulls player in a higher regard.

Independent journalism doesn't fund itself.

We hope this story was worth your time. For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed Black-owned and independently run. We didn't get here by waiting on ad budgets that were never built to prioritize us. Our readers did that.

Corporate support for Black media has always been thin. Outlets like ours get roughly 1% of the $170 billion spent on U.S. advertising each year, and that margin is shrinking further as advertisers walk back the DEI-linked commitments they made in 2020. That's the backdrop. It's not why we're asking.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Back to top