CHARLES BARKLEY SLAMS LEBRON JAMES FOR PRACTICING GOLF SWING DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Charles Barkley did not hold back when asked about LeBron James mimicking golf swings while the National Anthem played before the Philadelphia 76ers season opener.
“I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing a golf swing in the middle of the anthem,” Barkley said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “I always stand for the anthem. I just think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever where you can always protest, but I think you have to be very careful with the anthem.”
Barkley made clear he does not care what President Trump says about anything, yet he still called the behavior out of line. He explained that standing for the anthem is about supporting the troops and respecting the country, even while acknowledging America is not perfect. “I’m supporting the troops when I stand for the national anthem,” he added. “I thought what LeBron did was very disrespectful.”
The moment happened at Madison Square Garden as the 76ers lined up against the Knicks. Cameras caught James swinging his arms in a golf motion while teammates stood still. The NBA’s own rules call for players to stand in a dignified posture during the anthem.
James has stood for it across more than 1,900 career games, but this time the movement drew sharp criticism from fans and media who saw it as a casual disregard for the moment.
Barkley’s comments cut through the usual noise. A player known for speaking his mind, he did not frame the issue as politics. He framed it as basic respect.
While others defended the swings as stretching or dismissed the reaction as overblown, Barkley stuck to a straightforward standard: stand still, show some respect, and save the golf practice for the driving range.