LeBron James calls Charles Barkley 'stupid' .. here we go!

[cboy4]

Terrible, no-class way of handling this James .. I'm talking both the Knicks rumors and the Barkley verbal fued. :thumbsdown:

LeBron .. oh so young LeBron, you will always, and most likely in embarrassing fashion, lose a war of words and insults with Sir Charles .. who enjoys a lethal combination of access to the broadcasting microphone and a good relationship with the media and the fans. He can rip you ever time his mouth is near a microphone, which is often.

I'd zip your mouth if I were you.

Barkley chastises LeBron for free-agency discussion; King James responds

Updated: November 29, 2008, 12:47 AM ET

The topic of LeBron James' still-two-years-from-now free agency, which hit a crescendo this week upon the Cleveland Cavaliers' visit to New York to play the Knicks, left one opinionated Hall of Famer pleading for James to drop the subject.

Charles Barkley, in an interview on "Dan Patrick Radio," said James has no business talking about a future with another team while he's a Cavalier.

"If I was LeBron James, I would shut the hell up," Barkley said in the Wednesday interview. "I'm a big LeBron fan. He's a stud. You gotta give him his props. I'm getting so annoyed he's talking about what he's going to do in two years. I think it's disrespectful to the game. I think it's disrespectful to the Cavaliers."

James, however, felt differently.

"He's stupid. That's all I've got to say about that," James said Friday night before the Cavaliers' game against Golden State.

James has three seasons left on a four-year contract extension he signed in 2006; the contract took effect in 2007 and includes a player option for the fourth season. If James declines the player option, he will become a free agent in 2010.

The Knicks are one example of teams attempting to clear out salary-cap space for a star-studded free-agent class in 2010. James said this week he wouldn't hesitate to leave Cleveland if another franchise offers him a better chance to win multiple NBA titles.

"I think you do what is best for you and you do what is best for your career," James said Tuesday when asked about his sense of loyalty to the Cavs.

Barkley, a popular studio analyst on TNT's NBA broadcasts, likened James' actions to him going on the network and saying he can't wait to go to ESPN in two years.

Barkley also said playing in New York wouldn't make a difference for James, adding James would be no more of a superstar, and with no more marketing appeal, whether he was playing in Cleveland, Sacramento or Tokyo.

While admitting it has been difficult avoiding all reports about his free agency, the 23-year-old James said he remains attentive on the here and now.

"I am focused on the team that I am on right now and winning a championship," he said. "So it gets funny at times, but I don't think about making a change at this point. I am focusing on the team I have here and the relationship I have with the Cavs."

Barkley, a popular studio analyst on TNT's NBA broadcasts, likened James' actions to him going on the network and saying he can't wait to go to ESPN in two years.

GOOD ANALOGY


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3731824http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3731824

[Captain Hilts]

1. Gotta side with Charles on this one. nt

[BlooInBloo]

3. I love the round mound of rebound, but intelligence was never his strong suit.

[joeybee12]

5. Yeah, he didn't even say it was a stupid thing to say, but that Charles was

stupid...doesn't he have enough money for a PR consultant?

[nickgutierrez]

2. Lebron needs to hire a media coach, yesterday.

I like the kid. He's smart, saavy, seems like a genuinely good person, but he's got to learn to just not answer questions like this. I think he feels like the typical athlete non-answer has a distinctly unintelligent ring to it, and he's right, but the reason these answers are so widespread is to avoid minefields like this one.

Now, that having been said, I think this is likely to reach a peaceful, maybe even friendly, resolution. Sooner, rather than later. Hell, maybe Charles can be LeBron's media coach. That would be fun. :D

[Captain Hilts]

4. Exactly. He is unusually poised. But he screwed up here. Lord Charles is correct this time. nt

[ellacott]

6. Sir Charles WAS stupid with this statement

Lebron has never said he wants to play for the Knicks or the Nets. Charles was telling him to shut the hell up over something he's never said. That's pretty stupid to me.

Ever since Lebron's come into the league Charles has criticized something about his game or his team.

[cboy4]

7. You are living in deep, deep denial ellacott if you don't

think Lebron is going to end up in New York.

It's not the least bit fair to Cleveland, but the handwriting is on the wall I'm afraid.

[ellacott]

8. What are you talking about?

When did I say that I didn't believe that LeBron would be in N.Y.

What I said is that Lebron is not going around telling people he's going to N.Y. Charles told him to shut the hell up about going to N.Y. That is what was stupid about what Charles said. He has always said that his focus in on the Cavs.

Charles compared it to him working at TNT and telling people he can't wait to go ESPN. That doesn't apply to what LeBron has been doing, therefore he's stupid.

He may end up in N.Y but what makes you so sure that it would be with the Knicks?

[cboy4]

9. He may not have said specifically he wants to play for the

Knicks, but sometimes you just read between the lines.

I've been reading a lot of stories about this.

When the Cavs played the Knicks recently in NY, Lebron gushed over the historic nature of the Garden. Little hints here and there.

And then you have the Knicks trading Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph to clear salary cap space for 2010.

Do I know for sure it will be the Knicks? No.

Do I think it will most certainly be the Knicks? Absolutely.

Some things don't have to be said.

It's a shame for Cleveland, because it pretty hard for any town to compete against New York City, unless it's some place like Los Angeles.

[ellacott]

10. Of course they want him

Who wouldn't want him? They have not been shy about wanting him. They have created websites about getting him.

I've followed Lebron since high school. He had this same media attention wondering if he was going to go pro or stay in school. This began when he was in the 10th grade.

Clearing cap space also means you are gutting your team of talent. I do believe that LeBron wants to win. He's gone through 5 years in Cleveland without a supporting cast in Cleveland. He finally has some good people around him and they are doing very well.

Winning is most important to him. He can't get more money in N.Y. and he is just as marketable in Cleveland as he would be in N.Y.

It's unfair for Charles to put this all on LeBron. The media has also been responsible for this circus atmosphere. Charles has been a thorn in the flesh for Lebron since he came in the league.

I say to Charles to shut the hell up until you get the story right.

If he wins the championship with the Cavs then I think it will make it easier to stay in Cleveland.

[cboy4]

11. Listen, I'm sure you've heard of the expression, "pick your

battles."

Lebron does not help himself by getting into a verbal war with Charles Barkley.

Hardly anyone does.

Barkley is one of the most verbally flamboyant personalities in all of sports.

Charles will not be shutting up. Speaking out is his bread and butter and it provides him a good job with TNT worth a lot of cash.

Charles is a thorn in a lot of people's side. And he likes it. And he has the upper hand vis-a-vis the microphone to always have the last word .. which is usually a "shot."

Lebron would be wise to just let it go and concentrate on helping the Cavaliers win.

As for playing in New York .. if he helps the Cavs win a championship, maybe he'll re-think and want to stay put.

Or...maybe he'll say he's got a ring or two, and now he can go have some fun living and playing in the big city.

I guess we'll see.

[ellacott]

12. The Cavs did shut Charles up

Two years ago when the Cavs went to the Finals. Charles came to the city and said he only brought one suit because the Cavs were going to get swept by the Pistons. He apologized on national tv and had to go out and buy more suits.

This has been going on with Charles and the Cavs since Lebron came in the league. He said Lebron was going to be an ok player but will get a wake up call when he plays with grown men.

This beef is not new. It will be replaced with the next beef. Charles is known for being outspoken and because he is so outspoken he knows it opens himself up to people responding to some of the dumb stuff he says.

Lebron did let it go. He said what he felt and said he had no more to say about it. It's the media that's keeping it going.

We'll all find out in 2010

[cboy4]

13. Ellacott, what he said about bringing one suit is part of his

shtick.

He bashed my team, the Warriors and the Bay Area, and they pied a photo of Barkley on the scoreboard. I think they even did a side bar piece getting reaction from Bay Area fans lashing out at Barkley.

And then when the Warriors upset Dallas, Barkley had to wear a bright yellow Warriors "WE BELIEVE" shirt on the air.

Our two cities shut him up, but not really. He probably expected he'd be wrong, and he laughingly went along with his punishment in both cases.

It's an act. It's him clowning around and trying to stir up controversy.

Alright, I think we've exhausted this. LOL.

So yea, we'll see .. 2010.

By the way .. I LOVE hearing knowledgeable female fans like yourself speak out.

I hope you'll continue posting here. :)

[ellacott]

14. Nice conversation, thanks

I don't want to give the impression that I don't like Charles. I have always loved his honesty. Like it or not you know where you stand with him.

I do agree that much of Charles' personna is shtick. Charles truly loves basketball and understands that saying outrageous things gets fans pumped up and into their teams.

Lebron likes to tease and the people in Cleveland have gotten used to that. Many have just decided to enjoy him while he is here.

I WILL make a point of frequenting this forum more often.

The Cavs are doing pretty good but I can't say the same for the Browns. :)

This is an interesting story about Lebron's history of playing with the media.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2008/11/nba_insider_lebrons_been_a_tea.html

[jakefrep]

15. If LeBron's stated goal is to win championships....

...why in the hell would he play for an organization as dysfunctional as the Knicks?

[cboy4]

16. Ummm, one could have argued the same thing about

Garnett going to play for the Celtics.

[davidinalameda]

17. if I was the Cleveland management

I'd trade his ass to "Golden State or Oklahoma City or some equally horrible team

[ellacott]

18. That would not be a wise thing to do

He's good for the Cavs. When he is on the court there is no question that he is a Cav. Our team is finally winning. We are enjoying while he's here and not getting caught up in what will happen in 2010. It seems that most of the country is more intrigued by this than people in Cleveland.