Well, Charles Barkley has had his fill of those who dare to compare LeBron James to Michael Jordan. It was Friday night—the same night that the Golden State Warriors laid claim to another victory as NBA Champions against the Cleveland Cavaliers—that Chuckl aid to rest all claims comparing two of the greatest players of our time.
“Any media person that I see in person for the rest of my life who try to tell me that LeBron James is as good as Michael Jordan, I’m just going to slap the hell out of them right on the spot […] No questions asked,” Barkley announced on live television. “The next person who walks up to me and says LeBron James--who is amazing--is as good as Michael Jordan or competes like Michael Jordan, I’m just going to slap the hell out of you right on the spot, and I’m going to take my chances with the judicial system.”
Barkley’s words arrived shortly after the final buzzer on Friday night, bringing Lebron’s record in the NBA Finals to 3-6 while Michael Jordan went 6-0 throughout his career. Nonetheless, many still believe in Lebron’s status as being equal to that of Jordan’s. Even Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr chimed in on the conversation later on in the evening, avoiding a direct comparison, but highlighting the greatness found in both players.
“I get asked all the time about MJ, LeBron, and it's such a difficult question to ask,” Kerr said following Game 4. “All I know is they're the two best players that I've ever witnessed. They're very different, but however you want to rank them, they're right there together.”