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“LeBron James didn’t get drafted to a team with Shaq”: Richard Jefferson responds to Charles Barkley’s accusations about the Lakers star stacking up his teams unlike Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan

Arjun Julka
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"LeBron James didn't get drafted to a team with Shaq": Richard Jefferson responds to Charles Barkley's accusations about the Lakers star stacking up his teams unlike Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan

Richard Jefferson issues response after Charles Barkley puts Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant ahead of LeBron James in GOAT conversations.

Barkley is one of the most straightforward and honest people there is when it comes to sports broadcasting and analysis. The Phoenix legend never shies away from speaking his mind.

The LA Lakers made significant changes to their roster this off-season, the headline being the signing of former league MVP Russell Westbrook.

With Westbrook joining forces with King James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers now had a formidable Big 3. The Lakers’ recruiting wasn’t done here as they would sign a group of seasoned veterans, consisting of Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and Trevor Ariza.

While appearing as a guest on the HBO show Back On The Record with Bob Costas, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley accused LeBron of stacking up his team, unlike Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Also Read: “Charles Barkley, why are your eyebrows always in ‘huh’ mode?”: When Shaquille O’Neal hilariously roasted his NBAonTNT co-host for waxing his eyebrows

Barkley’s comments had former NBA player and James’ teammate Richard Jefferson’s attention, who called out the veteran for his hypocrisy.

Richard Jefferson responds to Charles Barkley’s statement about LeBron James stacking his teams

When asked between Jordan or LeBron, Barkley didn’t hesitate to call Jordan the greatest. The Inside the NBA analyst even went on to add that he had the late Kobe Bryant above LeBron.

Barkley believed that LeBron had stacked his team to win championships, something the superstar was accused of when he had signed with the Miami Heat as well.

Chuck cited examples of Dirk Nowitzki and Giannis Antentokounmpo, who he believed went through the grind and won a championship with the team that drafted them.

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Barkley’s comments on LeBron didn’t sit too well, with his friend and Cavs teammate Richard Jefferson who responded saying,

“In all fairness Chuck is right. Lebron didn’t get drafted to a team with Shaq like Kobe. Cavs never found pippin in Bron’s first 8 years because he was too good they never drafted that high. Ps…Charles got drafted to a team with Dr.J, Moses Malone, and 2 other Hall of Famers. I see his point though 😉”

Also Read: “LeBron James, come on NBAonTNT you’re not doing anything”: When Charles Barkley hilariously clowned on the Lakers MVP after getting eliminated from Playoff contention in 2019

Jefferson’s points do make quite a case. LeBron has on several occasions carried a team on his shoulders to the finals. A case in point being the Cavaliers in the 2007 and 2018 NBA Finals, where he was the lone superstar in an otherwise lottery team.

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka

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Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

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