War of Words

In the Month of January the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers have lost 8 games in the Month of January. Some of the losses includes the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and the Dallas Mavericks who are currently not in the Playoff picture. LeBron James had been very critical of the Cleveland front office, complaining about the fact that they don't have enough playmakers on his team.

So while "The King's" comments have been the topic of conversation of all Sports Talk Shows including NBA on TNT. Sports Analyst Charles Barkley has responded to LeBron's comments by saying that they are "Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above,” Barkley said. “The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted. They have the highest payroll in NBA history. He wanted J.R. Smith last summer, they paid him. He wanted (Iman) Shumpert last summer. They brought in Kyle Korver. “He’s the best player in the world. Does he want all of the good players? He don’t wanna compete? He is an amazing player. They’re the defending champs."

So once LeBron heard Charles response he went on a rant that we have never heard from LeBron in the past. "I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," LeBron said. "I’m not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas. I never said, 'I’m not a role model.' I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying. All I’ve done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. Fourteen years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that." I personally felt that LeBron had crossed the line because even though Charles was critical of LeBron he didn't have to make it personal.

I feel like this story is like in the movie "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie would constantly get picked on by the neighborhood bullies until one day enough was enough. For many years LeBron has been the face of the NBA and during his reign many players, fans, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Knick's GM Phil Jackson, Sports Analyst Skip Bayless, and many more have taken shots at LeBron that have crossed the line while LeBron has remained classy. But today is a new day and LeBron has had enough of everyone taking cheap shots at him while he bites his tongue. As LeBron has said "There's a new sherif in town."