LeBron James Slams Charles Barkley and Other Old Heads for Extreme Criticism of Today’s NBA

LeBron James has constantly called out the extreme criticism coming from 'old heads' towards the NBA's current generation.

LeBron James Slams Charles Barkley and Other Old Heads for Extreme Criticism of Today’s NBA

LeBron James believes Charles Barkley and other veterans were not that great compared to today's players (Image via FirstSportz)

In the twenty-two seasons LeBron James has been in the NBA, he has seen the game evolve over time. Along with the evolution of the game, he has also seen how it has been received by fans, members of the media, and former players.

Among fans, there are predominantly two sections, one that admires the new generation while having respect for the past greats. Then there are some who disregard the current generation and believe they are nowhere close to what the past greats have achieved.

James and even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believe it has something to do with the way the media covers the league. It is the only major North American sport that has members of the media criticizing the current generation while praising the greats of the past.

Fans have hooked onto those narratives and run with them. When former players come into the picture, those narratives get a boost. But the all-time leading scorer in league history believes those past greats were not that great after all, to comment on the present.

The older generation, they make you not want to love the game that I grew up watching. That generation talks so much s**t about the game today. It makes you go back and watch the game back then, and it makes you not even want to appreciate, no more than I did as a kid.

LeBron James said

After LeBron James said this, his Mind The Game podcast co-host Steve Nash agreed that if one were to watch the games from the past, they might not like what they are watching. At the time, they were great, but now the game is a lot better.

LeBron James talks about being friends with competitors

Another criticism former greats, fans, and members of the media have often leveled at LeBron James is that of his friendship with other players. They believe it is not in the spirit of competition. But the 40-year-old superstar believes everyone has done it in the past.

Charles Barkley smiling and joking with Michael Jordan
Charles Barkley smiling and joking with Michael Jordan (Image via Open Source/X)

These guys say that we can’t be friends. Then someone goes to find a clip of you standing next to this guy during the finals smiling and laughing. Can we just be honest, I just don’t understand this. They write their own script.

LeBron James said

The friendly smiles at the NBA Finals were indirectly referenced to Charles Barkley joking and smiling with Michael Jordan on the court. Considering how James has called out Barkley for his criticism, his reference is also directed at the Hall of Famer.

Charles Barkley has never backed down from criticizing the current generation. Analysts at other networks have talked about how those criticisms have contributed to the declining ratings the league has suffered this past year.

LeBron James warns Amazon Prime-bound Steve Nash to stay away from old heads

Now that Charles Barkley and Inside the NBA are moving away from exclusive broadcasting rights, there is a chance their voices will be diluted. Amazon Prime is taking its place, and ironically, Steve Nash is a part of the team of analysts. He projected that as a fellow old head, he would lead the positivity-based bandwagon. Hearing this, LeBron James gave him a warning.

Don’t even try it. Do not try to be the CEO or the President of the old head committee. They are going to string you out. You are too positive.

LeBron James said

Many fans believe Amazon Prime and NBC, with their hirings, will lead the brigade against the negative route usually taken by Charles Barkley, Stephen A. Smith, and Skip Bayless. Nash, along with his former teammate, Dirk Nowitzki, are too positive as individuals to be unnecessarily criticizing players.

Also Read: