Charles Barkley picks Michael Jordan over LeBron James for his resolute attitude: "That’s the reason I don’t compare him to Michael Jordan”
LeBron James’ greatness will always be compared to Michael Jordan. The two will always be linked, particularly when GOAT debates come up.
Charles Barkley, however, has a distinction between the two superstars when the greatest player ever discussion is brought up. Here’s what the Hall of Famer had to say about the topic when he appeared in “The Bill Simmons Podcast:”
“I’m with Michael Jordan in his prime and they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s a great, great player but he can’t win.’ That happened to LeBron! And LeBron is the person that changed the entire narrative. He’s like, ‘Oh, let me go somewhere I can win.’
“That’s the reason I don’t compare him to Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan says, ‘There’s a wall over there. I’m coming through that wall, I’m coming through the damn Pistons, I’m coming through the Celtics, I’m coming through Magic Johnson.’”
New BS Podcast: talking NBA Week One, Westbrook, Embiid, Phoenix, bus riders vs superstars, the good old days and everything between with Charles Barkley.
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Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were members of the 1984 NBA draft class. The Chicago Bulls made MJ the No. 3 pick while “Sir Chuck” went to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 5. Since both were in the Eastern Conference, Barkley knew the narrative surrounding Jordan.
Despite Jordan’s incredible display, the Chicago Bulls miserably failed in the postseason in Jordan's early years. In MJ’s first three postseasons, the Bulls were swept twice by the Boston Celtics and were only 1-9 in that span.
Michael Jordan then had to struggle and get beat up for another three years against the Bad Boy Pistons. When “His Airness” eventually overcame the Pistons in 1991, they still had to go through Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers.
Chicago beat LA 4-1, which started Michael Jordan's stranglehold on the NBA.
30 YEARS AGO TODAY 🐐
MICHAEL JORDAN made this "Spectacular Move" during a spectacular 33-point performance (15/18 FG) in the 1991 NBA Finals!
GM1: 36 PTS, 12 AST, 8 REB
GM2: 33 PTS, 13 AST, 7 REB
GM3: 29 PTS, 9 AST, 9 REB
GM4: 28 PTS, 13 AST, 5 REB
GM5: 30 PTS, 10 AST, 5 STL https://t.co/y9NHGi7UkF
LeBron James was practically on the same path as Jordan. “The Chosen One” carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to the playoffs in five of his first seven years, but couldn’t win the big one. He led the team to the 2007 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs but was swept.
After a loss to the Boston Celtics in 2010, James made the infamous decision to take his talents to South Beach. “King James” went to four straight NBA Finals, winning back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 after teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
LeBron (26 PTS, 13 AST, 11 REB) powered Miami to the championship 🏆
Thunder vs. Heat, 2012 NBA Finals Game 5 - Pop Up Edition - 4pm ET on NBA TV! https://t.co/OKozE9oAbv
LeBron James did prove he could lead a franchise to a championship as the unquestioned alpha by winning the 2016 championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Four years later, he hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy again by bringing banner #17 to the LA Lakers.
Charles Barkley calls LeBron James’ story as the greatest ever in the NBA
If Charles Barkley is unwilling to make LeBron James the greatest player over Michael Jordan, he does concede how remarkable James’ story has been. It’s so incredible that “Sir Chuck” called it one of the greatest stories of all time.
Here’s Barkley giving James his flowers:
“We love LeBon. He's one of the greatest people I've been around. I've said this public before, I think his story is the greatest sports story of all time. What I mean by that is Kobe struggled early in his career. Same with Kevin Garnett and other guys. They turned into great all-timers but they struggled.
“LeBron James is the only guy in my 40 years of NBA who came out at 18, who was as good as advertised. His story coming out at 18, being as good as advertised, and has never been in trouble. I think he's one of the greatest stories of all time."