“Friends compete harder” – LeBron James drags Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley to defend ‘frenemy’ Kevin Durant in heated fan argument

Some NBA fans think today’s players are too friendly, even off the court. This debate flared up after a game between stars Kevin Durant and LeBron James. The Phoenix Suns shared a pic of them chatting with “respect,” but not everyone liked it.

Twitter user @BlindLivin argued Michael Jordan is the GOAT because he didn’t befriend opponents during games, criticizing today’s camaraderie. Kevin Durant, known for engaging with fans, defended friendly competition, saying non-athletes might not get it. Many athletes agree, seeing friendship and rivalry as compatible.

LeBron James, never shy on social media, joined in, posting a pic of Jordan smiling with Charles Barkley.

@BlindLivin on Twitter expressed frustration about the laughter during games, emphasizing the need for a serious and dominating approach, citing it as a key reason why MJ23 is considered the greatest, as he consistently outperformed everyone. To this, Kevin Durant responded:

At some point, yall non-athletes gon realize that friends compete harder against one another.

LeBron James unintentionally dug into a complicated past when he displayed a picture of Jordan and Barkley, emphasizing how friendships in the NBA can grow or fade. When one looks for evidence against the alleged brotherhood among today’s athletes, it becomes a cautionary story.

Navigating NBA relationships: Durant, James, and the complex legacy of Jordan-Barkley friendship

The story is made more complex by the historical background of the bond between Barkley and Jordan. A well-known, if potentially fictitious, tale from the 1993 NBA Finals is that Jordan gave Barkley a $20,000 diamond earring and 48 holes of golf to guarantee that he would not meddle in the series.

Whether this is accurate or not, it is obvious that Jordan and Barkley’s once-friendly relationship has deteriorated over time. Barkley has publicly acknowledged that Jordan stopped talking to him because of criticism directed at his ownership of the Charlotte Hornets.

In the end, Durant and James’ on-court friendship was only a small part of the larger story of the Suns and Lakers’ thrilling game. Notwithstanding the divergent opinions on player relationships, the competitive spirit that characterizes the NBA—where friendships and rivalries combine to produce a vibrant and captivating league—should continue to be the major focus.

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