Charles Barkley explains how LeBron James can earn GOAT status after shocking Sixers move

Just like 16 years ago, LeBron James sent shockwaves throughout the NBA with his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers this summer after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, and club legend Charles Barkley offered his two cents on it.

>Instead of being happy with the news that his former team has a better chance of winning the championship, Barkley criticized James for the move during a recent appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

>“But the number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, ‘Yo, man, you always stacking your team.’ He stacked it in Miami. He stacked it in Cleveland. He’s stacked it in LA. Now he’s stacking it in Philly,” Barkley said.

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>“So that to me, I’m going to still have the same criticism I’ve always had. He’s always stacked his team,” he added. “I will tell you this: he did put a bullseye on his back coming to the Sixers because now the Sixers have to win the championship… They have to at least go to the finals.”

Charles Barkley details what LeBron James needs to do to earn the GOAT statusDec 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) shakes hands with Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) after the game at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesAs Charles Barkley noted, it’s championship or bust for LeBron James, and he can only surpass Michael Jordan in the GOAT conversation if he wins back-to-back titles for the City of Brotherly Love.

>“If he wins back-to-back championships and walks away from 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 stated.

>“If he wins two more, I think you have to be kind of crazy not to say he’s the best to ever do it. Now, we’re talking a long way, brother. Listen, at his age, he’s got to stay healthy. It’s a long NBA season,” he added.