Inside The NBA (DR) / NBA (DR)

Always blunt in his comments about the NBA, Charles Barkley doesn’t even mince his words when he talks about LeBron James.

This was proven again recently when he delivered an opinion that could cause debate regarding the King.

On the eve of his 22nd season in the NBA , he recently stated that he had nothing more to prove.

 LeBron James believes that he has demonstrated his talent enough so far to evolve without pressure on the continuation and end of his career.

Nevertheless, it is with his characteristic ambition that he approaches his new campaign with the Lakers , but also with a status that is still glorious within the league.

That said, the aura surrounding the King does not act as armor and does not allow him to avoid criticism.

Some dare from time to time to attack him in a more or less serious manner.

 Charles Barkley, for example, is one of the few who do not hesitate to do so publicly.

And when he is not hilariously referring to his hair problems, it is on his game and his outfit that he delivers remarks subject to controversy.

LeBron James knocked off Charles Barkley ranking

A few days ago, Barkley was asked by Bleacher Report to draw up his list of the best current players in the NBA. Before doing so, he wanted to reveal the main criteria on which he based his list:

Charles Barkley: You can’t be a great player if you can’t win a game in multiple ways. So my number one criterion is, “How many different ways can you win a game?”

On the face of it, this line of reasoning favors James.

After all, James has shown throughout his career that he can go after a victory in multiple ways, whether it’s via a drive concluded by a layup or a shift on a teammate behind the arc, or even via a 3-point shot of his own.

And yet, Barkley didn’t even include him in his Top 10, listed below:

1. Nikola Jokic

2. Luka Doncic

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

4. Joel Embiid

5. Stephen Curry

6. Jaylen Brown

7. Jayson Tatum

8. Kevin Durant

9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

10. Anthony Davis

Without a doubt, LBJ will be keen to prove his prestigious elder false in the coming months, even though he will be celebrating his 40th birthday in December. And why not this Tuesday night, against the Timberwolves.

While he points out that this type of ranking remains subjective, Charles Barkley excludes LeBron James from his list of the 10 best current NBA players. A snub that is supposedly explained by the King’s limited versatility in the money-time of a match.