Charles Barkley Slams ‘Disrespectful’ LeBron James Amid National Anthem Row

Wherever LeBron James goes, controversy follows. Since entering the league as the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, no player in the NBA has dealt with constant scrutiny like James over the past two decades.

No matter what he does, his actions are closely followed on and off the court. The end of his career may be closer than ever, but he continues to be the center of attention in the NBA world.

James got off to a dream start with his new team when the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on opening night. It was an ideal debut for the King, as the Knicks unveiled their championship banner and revealed their rings that night.

However, the conversation shifted to something else after the game. United States President Donald Trump shared a clip of James practicing his golf swing during the national anthem and criticized him for disrespecting it.

While James shrugged off the criticism, former NBA star and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley agreed it was an ill-mannered act, but not because Trump said so.

I don’t pay any attention to what President Trump says, first and foremost. At all. But I thought that was very disrespectful, practising a golf swing in the middle of the anthem. I always stand for the anthem; I think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever. You can always protest, but you have to be very careful with the anthem.

Charles Barkley on SiriusXM NBA Radio

“[LeBron] was very disrespectful, but I don’t ever pay any attention to what President Trump says.” Charles Barkley reacts to LeBron practicing his golf swing during the national anthem and Donald Trump’s criticism. https://t.co/ZqMaVtcgLJ @TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 https://t.co/CxAUy9B4fV

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 28, 2026

Barkley has been very critical of James over the past few months. The former MVP called out James after his move to the 76ers in the summer and has not held back since. He believed that James’ actions during the national anthem were disrespectful, but he also repeatedly stressed that he does not pay attention to Trump’s remarks.

Charles Barkley on what standing for the National Anthem represents to him

It is well known that Donald Trump and LeBron James are no fans of each other. The King endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 when she was contesting the presidential election against Trump.

His endorsement for Harris certainly did not sit well with the President. Trump has publicly admitted that he dislikes the NBA icon and hence, his latest attack on James is not very surprising.

Meanwhile, after criticizing James, Charles Barkley spoke about always standing up for the national anthem despite backing the right to protest and free speech.

You can protest, but I think you have to do it very respectable. I really believe that. Because I look at it, I’m supporting the troops when I stand for the national anthem. I’m standing there for free speech. So, even though I believe in free speech, I think you have to be very careful with the anthem. I always stand for the anthem. I think it’s important.

Charles Barkley on SiriusXM NBA Radio

Chuck spoke about the significance of standing for the national anthem. He acknowledged that people have the right to protest, but stressed that they should be mindful of how they express their views during the ceremony.

Stephen A. Smith defends LeBron James against Donald Trump’s “disgrace” criticism

The national anthem controversy has been a topic of discussion for a while now. Victor Wembanyama was criticized for folding his arms during the anthem last season, and the Team USA women’s players were called out for their antics when the anthem was being played during the FIBA Women’s World Cup this year.

Unfortunately, it was just a matter of time before LeBron James was pulled into the controversy as well. While Barkley was critical of his actions, James was publicly defended by an unlikely figure, Stephen A. Smith. The ESPN analyst said,

LeBron James as a role model, as a champion is one of the greatest belongs on the Mount Rushmore of those categories in American if not world history. He does not deserve to be viewed as some unpatriotic individual. Not at all. But that’s not Trump’s problem. Trump is trying to win an election.

Stephen A. Smith on The Stephen A. Smith Show

Stephen A. Smith defends LeBron James against Donald Trump’s “disgrace” criticism, arguing that one moment during the national anthem should not erase his legacy as a champion and role model Smith says LeBron belongs on the Mount Rushmore of American and global sports role models, insisting that his history of professionalism and leadership deserves more weight than a single viral moment of mimicking a golf swing during the national anthem. He argues that Trump is politicizing the incident to rally patriotic voters ahead of the midterm elections, drawing parallels to the backlash against Colin Kaepernick. While Smith admits the moment may not have been a good look, he says LeBron deserves better than to be defined by it, even by the president.

— Bassey (@0xBassey) October 23, 2026

While SAS and James may not see eye to eye, the journalist defended the four-time champion and believes he doesn’t deserve criticism after everything he’s achieved in the United States. While various personalities have commented on the controversy, James remains largely unbothered by it.

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