Charles Barkley believes LeBron James still has one final chance to overtake Michael Jordan in the greatest-of-all-time debate.
The Hall of Famer, who has long viewed Jordan as basketball’s GOAT, said James could change his opinion if he leads the Philadelphia 76ers to consecutive NBA championships after signing a reported two-year, $8 million contract.
“If he wins back-to-back championships and walks away this thing at 44, 45. I’ll say something I ain’t never said before. This dude, I think I just saw the greatest basketball player ever,” Barkley told Stephen A. Smith.
At the same time, Barkley reiterated a criticism he has made throughout James’ career, arguing that the four-time NBA champion has consistently joined star-filled teams.
“The number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, ‘Yo, man, you always stacking your team,’” Barkley said. “He stacked in Miami. He stacked in Cleveland. He stacked in LA. Now he’s stacking it in Philly. So that to me, I’m going to still have the same criticism I’ve always had.”
James announced Friday that he is joining the 76ers for what he described as the final stop of his Hall of Fame career, choosing another title chase instead of retirement after 23 NBA seasons.
Philadelphia has built one of the league’s strongest rosters this offseason by adding James to a core that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, while also acquiring former Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
If that group delivers back-to-back championships, Barkley believes the GOAT debate could finally shift in James’ favor.
Why Charles Barkley believes LeBron James has chance to surpass Michael Jordan as NBA’s GOAT https://t.co/MO1ZL3CuHr pic.twitter.com/BtrbJjZxLn
— New York Post (@nypost) July 25, 2026
