Charles Barkley takes a sly dig at LeBron James after going 0-6 on his parlay

Charles Barkley Calls Out LeBron James After Losing Parlay Bet

NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley humorously called out LeBron James following the Lakers’ 127-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns, which cost Barkley a six-leg parlay bet. During TNT’s Inside the NBA, Barkley joked about LeBron’s performance, expressing frustration over James scoring only 18 points, short of the 25 Barkley had wagered on.

“Is it my fault LeBron’s a bum?” Barkley quipped, adding humor to his 0-6 start to the season’s betting attempts.

Barkley’s parlay also relied on Kevin Durant, who similarly underperformed, scoring 23 points instead of the 25 needed. Despite LeBron’s near triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists), his output highlighted the challenges of maintaining dominance at 39 years old.

Criticism of Bronny James’ Development

Barkley didn’t stop at LeBron’s game. On the Bettor Angle podcast, he criticized the Lakers’ management of rookie guard Bronny James. Barkley disapproved of Bronny splitting time between the NBA and the G League, arguing the arrangement hindered his development.

“They’ve handled it awful… The kid is not ready to play in the NBA. He should be in the G League so he can play basketball,” Barkley stated.

He also dismissed the decision to play Bronny only in home games, labeling it “stupid” and detrimental to the team’s cohesion.

“You come off a road trip, and there’s a player you haven’t seen in weeks. Then you feel like you’ve got to play him. They’re not doing Bronny any favors.”

A Long-Term Experiment for the Lakers

The Lakers and LeBron James reportedly view Bronny’s limited NBA appearances as part of a long-term development plan. However, Barkley argued that consistent G League minutes would better prepare the rookie guard for the league’s challenges.

The debate over Bronny’s development adds another layer to the Lakers’ struggles this season, as they fight to stay competitive in the Western Conference.