LeBron James was one of the many NBA players that received his flowers during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend. The NBA paid tribute to the 75 best players in the history of this league. And LeBron James was one of the players that garnered a lot of love and attention on the night.
During the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, while LeBron James was leading his team on the court, the Inside The NBA panel reflected on his career. Shaquille O’Neal jokingly noted that he was a little jealous of LeBron James because James is often mentioned in the conversation for the greatest player of all time.
Surprisingly, Charles Barkley, someone who has been critical of LeBron James in the past, spoke quite fondly of LeBron James. He noted that James came into the league with incredible pressure, and lived up to it, while also maintaining his character and integrity at a level that has just not been seen in the past (1:31 mark).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enczOyDnmcQ
“I think he’s had the most incredible career. From an 18 year old kid to come to the NBA, be one of the 5 or 10 greatest players, has never come close to getting into trouble in today’s society, I think it’s amazing.”
Barkley and LeBron James have had their fair share of issues in the past. LeBron James viciously slammed Charles Barkley in the past for saying that LeBron didn’t want to compete, bringing to light some of Barkley’s transgressions during his playing days, and noting how unfair his comments were.
But it seems the two have seemingly put their animosity behind them, as their interactions with each other are usually very cordial, and they don’t seem to show any degree of hostility toward each other. Perhaps these kind words from Barkley will go a long way in improving their relationship.
