NBA analyst Charles Barkley made some waves this week when he implied that LeBron James would be ring-chasing if he tried to create yet another super team instead of joining the Cleveland Cavaliers for his next team. That remark didn't sit well with Shannon Sharpe.
"“He’s chasing this imaginary Michael Jordan ghost... If he goes to Philly, people are going to say he’s ring chasing... If he goes to Golden State, they’re going to say he’s ring chasing... He has no affiliation with Philadelphia or Golden State... What he does have is his hometown team," Barkley said on NBC Sports Philadelphia this week.
But on Thursday's edition of Nightcap, Sharpe accused Barkley of doing the same at the tail end of his own NBA career, when he left the Phoenix Suns to team up with Hakeem Olajuwon and Scottie Pippen on the Houston Rockets. He believes that Barkley shouldn't talk down to LeBron over something that he himself seemed to do.
“Let me ask you a question. If he goes to the Cavaliers, what are they going to say? He ring chasing,” Sharpe said. “But here’s the thing: they could say that about Charles. He went to Houston. What was he trying to do in Houston? He linked up with Scottie Pippen and Hakeem Olajuwon. What were you trying to do? He was trying to win a ring.
“In all seriousness, yes, he was. Now he can say we was over the hill, but you didn’t think that. If LeBron goes to Miami, what are they going to say? He’s ring chasing. If he goes to Golden State, he’s ring chasing. He goes to Philly, he’s ring chasing. If he goes to the Nuggets, he’s ring chasing. The team that he’s going to is because he wants to win.”
Fans Weigh In
NBA fans weren't too keen on Barkley's comments either, but many acknowledged that Cleveland would still be the best option for LeBron and his legacy:
"He has a better shot with Cleveland and winning a ring that he does with the current Golden State warriors. They're going to say he's ring chasing no matter what," one user remarked on X.
"I love Barkley, but the words 'ring chasing' should never leave his mouth. Cleveland has no shot of winning it all, with or without LeBron. If he goes to Philly, I don’t know how that’s any less ring chasing than going to Miami with Wade and Bosh. Philly hasn’t won since ‘83," wrote another.
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"Him winning a ring in Cleveland definitely will hold more weight compared to winning it with Steph or a stacked roster like Philly. It’ll be held against him anytime the Goat debate comes up. Barkley is right," a third wrote.
"No other player has still had the kinda impact bron does at 41. Bron never requested a trade and has fulfilled every contract. He’s not chasing anyone because what he is doing has never been done. Every team that wants him NEEDS him to win a ring next year."
One thing is certain: Even at 41 years of age and having played more games than anyone in NBA history, LeBron James still has the power to play kingmaker.
