The Star of the Past: How LeBron James Could Surpass Michael Jordan

LeBron James' move to Philadelphia continues to cause a stir throughout the NBA. Charles Barkley has now addressed the move, admitting it might change his stance in the greatest debate in basketball: who is the GOAT, LeBron or Michael Jordan?

Barkley, considered one of the greatest Philadelphia players of all time, told Stephen A. Smith that if James leads the Sixers to two consecutive championships before retiring, he would be ready to crown him the greatest of all time.

"If he wins two consecutive championships and retires at age 44 or 45, I will say something I have never said: I think I have seen the greatest basketball player of all time," Barkley said.

Alongside the praise, Barkley maintained his long-standing criticism of James:

"The main argument against LeBron from people of my generation has always been that he built super-teams for himself. He did it in Miami, he did it in Cleveland, he did it in the Lakers, and now he is doing it in Philadelphia too. Therefore, my criticism of him will remain exactly the same."

Barkley also expressed disappointment that James chose Philadelphia over a third stint in Cleveland:

"I am disappointed. I wanted him to return to Cleveland. He has no natural connection to Philadelphia, and therefore this choice surprised me. If he had returned to Miami, I could still understand, but I thought the perfect way to end his story would have been to return to Cleveland. That would have been a great closing of the circle."

LeBron has already won four championships with three different clubs: Miami, Cleveland, and the Los Angeles Lakers. If he manages to add a championship with Philadelphia, he will become the first player to win a ring with four different teams—an achievement that, in Barkley's opinion, may settle the debate over the greatest player in the history of the game once and for all.