NBA legend Charles Barkley has reluctantly found himself on the same side of a debate as Donald Trump as he criticized LeBron James over his recent national anthem controversy.
James was engulfed in a firestorm last week when he was accused of disrespecting the Star-Spangled Banner ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener against the New York Knicks.
In viral footage, the 41-year-old was captured pretending to swing a golf club and practicing his free throw technique while the national anthem was sung at Madison Square Garden on the first day of the NBA season.
James’s actions sparked severe backlash, led by President Trump, a long-time critic of the NBA icon, who accused him of ‘disrespecting’ America.
Barkley, while insisting that he does not pay attention to Trump’s takes on matters, echoed the President’s criticism as he addressed the issue in an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio this week.
‘I don’t pay what President Trump says any attention, first and foremost, at all,’ Barkley claimed. ‘But I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing a golf swing in the middle of the anthem.
NBA legend Charles Barkley waded in on the criticism of Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James
James sparked backlash last week after he was accused of disresepecting the national anthem
‘I always stand for the anthem. I just think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever where you can always protest, but I think you have to be very careful with the anthem.’
Trump had lashed out at the NBA legend in an explosive Truth Social post last week, labelling him an ‘absolute disgrace’ over the matter.
He wrote: ‘While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE.
‘LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!’
Trump doubled down on his criticism of the NBA superstar during a rally in Iowa on October 22.
‘During the national anthem, he’s practicing his golf swing… what the hell is that?’ he said, while the crowd booed James. ‘It’s a big scandal… what it’s all about? I don’t understand it.’
On James’s return to the court that same night, the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer was captured demonstrating remarkably different behavior.
James was seen standing with his arms behind his back while swaying side to side during the rendition.
Donald Trump led the criticism of the NBA icon as he claimed he disrespected America
James seemingly trolled Trump when asked about the president’s comments last week
In comparison to his antics two days prior, it was seen as ‘muted’ behavior from James by most fans, however, some still took issue with his actions on social media.
James himself spoke out on the criticism he faced from Trump after the game, seemingly trolling the US President over his uproar.
‘It must be a slow news day at the office, you know,’ he said after helping the 76ers secure a stunning comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The comments mark the latest chapter in a long-standing feud between the four-time NBA champion and Trump, which dates back to James labeling him a ‘bum’ in 2017.
Earlier this year, Trump launched an astonishing attack on James just hours after the hoops star revealed he’d be signing with the 76ers.
Just hours after LeBron’s 24th season in the NBA was confirmed, Trump was asked to weigh in on who holds the title of the greatest basketball player of all time.
‘Michael Jordan’s a guy that’s a friend of mine, I’ve played golf with him,’ Trump said.
‘He’s a really good guy and I think LeBron is – maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump, I don’t know – but I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.’
James has frequently used his platform to criticize Trump, previously endorsing Democratic candidates and launching voting-rights initiatives across the country.
