In 2008, LeBron James was asked if he would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers if another NBA franchise presented him with a better opportunity to win multiple NBA championships. Bron said yes, showing he wouldn’t hesitate to move to another city if that’s the case. The problem was that LBJ was still two years away from potential free agency when he said that.

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley took exception to James’ statement, saying that LeBron should respect the Cavs and honor his contract by not discussing any potential future move.

“If I was LeBron James, I would shut the hell up,” Barkley said. “I’m a big LeBron fan. He’s a stud. You gotta give him his props. I’m getting so annoyed he’s talking about what he’s going to do in two years. I think it’s disrespectful to the game. I think it’s disrespectful to the Cavaliers.”

LeBron said he would do what is best for his career

In 2006, James signed a four-year extension worth $60 million. That deal took effect in 2007 and had a player option in Year 4. That meant Bron could opt to become a free agent in 2010 and freely join another team if he wanted to.

To LeBron’s credit, he didn’t say outright that he would leave Cleveland. The “Chosen One” merely hinted that he would do what was best for him when the time came.

“I think you do what is best for you, and you do what is best for your career. I go out, and I play hard, and that’s loyalty,” James said in that controversial interview. “It’s hard because it’s a business. [The] franchise is going to do what is best for the franchise, you know. When a player does what is best for the player, it always comes back on us. I am going to look bad. If a franchise decides to give up on a player, it’s OK. So we have to do what is best for us.”

Barkley eliminated LeBron from the GOAT debate in 2010

Two years later, LBJ did what Charles always believed he wanted to do – leave Cleveland. Shortly after “King James” addressed his free agency via “The Decision,” Chuck was quick to react by saying LeBron no longer belonged in the greatest of all-time debate.

“He’ll never be Jordan,” he said. “This clearly takes him out of the conversation. He can win as much as he wants to. There would have been something honorable about staying in Cleveland and trying to win it as ‘The Man’… LeBron, if he would’ve won in Cleveland, and if he could’ve got a championship there, it would have been over the top for his legacy, just one in Cleveland. No matter how many he wins in Miami, it clearly is Dwyane Wade’s team.”

Although Chuck continues to dismiss LeBron as the GOAT today, he’s also always maintained that James is the greatest story in all of sports. Likewise, Barkley gives James flowers for staying away from trouble throughout his career and exceeding his very high expectations.