Charles Barkley Rips LeBron, Backs Jordan in GOAT Debate

Charles Barkley has never been one to hold back, and after Cleveland’s Game 4 loss to Golden State in the 2018 NBA Finals, he went all in on LeBron James.

“I was so disappointed,” Barkley said on Game Time Live, accusing LeBron of being passive in a must-win game. He argued that James’ lack of aggression drained the Cavaliers’ energy, leaving the team to “go through the motions” instead of competing.

The rant soon shifted into GOAT territory. Barkley made it clear the conversation isn’t close in his eyes: “The next person who tells me LeBron James is as good as Michael Jordan, I’m just gonna slap the hell out of them.”

For Barkley, Jordan’s defining edge was his relentless competitiveness. LeBron, he argued, didn’t show it that night. And until he does, Barkley says, the comparison to No. 23 simply doesn’t hold.