Charles Barkley pokes LeBron James where it hurts -- the ego

Not that Charles Barkley didn't say and do stupid things while he was an NBA player, but when I read that he told LeBron James to shut up and play for Cleveland, I just about stood up and applauded here in the Phoenix airport.

I'm a little late coming onto this story. My excuse is that I was covering UCLA football and am still trying to understand how the Bruins tripled the offensive yardage of Arizona State and lost 34-9 (hint, it was the NCAA record-tying four defensive touchdowns scored by the Sun Devils).

Anyway, I see Barkley told radio show host Dan Patrick that James should "shut the hell up." And then James called Barkley "stupid" in response.

Barkley has taken some comments James made in New York as public lobbying about his alleged desires to become a New York Knick in two years when his contract with Cleveland is done.

If Barkley made a mistake it was in not telling the Knicks to also shut up. When the Knicks trade players to the Clippers and say that the main goal is to unload salaries they might otherwise have been responsible for in two years, how is that helping the league?

Should Cleveland fans just give up on basketball? Is it just a done deal, James going to New York in two years, so Cleveland fans and ownership need to just accept reality and mark time until then?

It is probably a done deal, but Barkley is correct. What's the point of rubbing it in the face of Cleveland? Like when James played in New York last week wearing a special, New York-centric sneaker.

Again, listen to Charles, everyone. Just shut up and play.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: LeBron James has shown he's been in a New York state of mind, including when he attended a Yankees-Indians playoff game in Cleveland wearing a New York baseball cap. Credit: Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Comments

[Tariq]

How can anyone say it is a done deal? Lebron never said anything about playing with the Knicks. Yankees are his favorite baseball team just like most young fans in this country. He is also a Cowboys fan and was a Bulls fan when he was growing up.

Let's not forget that Knicks fans booed Lebon when he was drafted and chanted "over rated".

Also, he told Knicks fans to be open minded if you know what that means.

[Quan Chang]

Okay so where are you getting your information from? I've been trying to follow this story and not once have I ever read about Lebron James confirming anything regading playing for the Knicks in two years.

It might be nice in the land of "make believe" but I think you should your facts straight before you write an article.

[CleveRes]

I agree with Charles - Many of us in Cleveland are resigned to the fact that our I-77 commuter will be leaving in a few years.

Fine, but don't rub it in our face.

[Kevin]

No way is it a done deal. The Knicks still suck. And in fact, they're intentionally trying to suck, jettisoning players for future cap space.

Lebron has been to the Finals once with the cast he already has. Why would he want to go to the worst team of the decade if his goal is to 'win multiple Championships'? So he can play with Nate Robinson and whatever lottery picks the Knicks have?
If Rings are really his goal, he can take the veteran's minimum and play in San Antonio or Boston or LA for a couple years. It's not like he needs the money when his basketball salary is dwarfed by his endorsements contracts anyways.
The money will not be better in New York compared to Cleveland, either in basketball salary or in endorsements.

[AK]

his goal is not to win his goal is to become the first athlete billionaire, and that's not gonna happened in Cleveland.