Charles Barkley’s never one to keep quiet and refrain from speaking his mind on big issues. His latest controversial opinion: that LeBron James should become a free agent this summer, leave Miami, and return to Cleveland. Barkley thinks LeBron made a mistake going to Miami, and thinks LeBron should play for the “real fans” in Cleveland over the “not real fans” in Miami.
Via ESPN:
In an interview Wednesday on ESPN’s “SVP & Russillo,” Barkley advocated a return to the Cavaliers for James and, in the process, took a shot at Miami Heat fans.
“I’ve always thought he was going to go back to Cleveland,” Barkley said. “Nobody dislikes LeBron. I think LeBron made a huge mistake with that ‘Decision’ crap. He’s come back and since admitted that. That’s the only thing people hold against LeBron.
“He’s a great player, a great person. I hope he goes back to Cleveland. Those fans in Miami are not real fans, those fans in Cleveland are real fans. I’ve always hoped he would go back to Cleveland. That would be a great way to finish his career.”
The Cavaliers finished 33-49 this season, five games out of the playoffs, and fired coach Mike Brown.
But Cleveland won the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft for the second straight year and third time in the past four overall.
