Charles Barkley is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He even pointed out that LeBron James would have had a hard time defending the main Berkeley.
The NBA has seen stars pass through the doors throughout its glorious history. In the 1980s and 1990s, there were only a few players who could compete with Charles Berkeley. He was extraordinary as he stood at 6’6” while advancing his powers. That’s why Zion Williamson is constantly compared to Berkley.
Berkley’s height was never an issue for him as he had an elite explosiveness. He always had a good nose on the ball, so he found a way to score. During his prime, Berkley was an MVP and was undoubtedly the best player in the league.
It is fair to him that he takes over the defender on such an underrated resume. He even pointed out that even LeBron James could not stop him in his heyday.
As a player who was a legitimate superstar, Berkley knew how to beat a great defender. He also found that no matter how good the defense is, they struggle with talented scorers. That’s what he did in his career. Because he used natural tips for his elite athleticism and scoring.
He didn’t win a championship in his career, but he got the respect of everyone. Berkley played for Michael Jordan’s Prime.
In 2012, Berkley knew James was one of the league’s best defenders in the early 2010s. Despite his reputation, he knows he can beat James in a one-on-one matchup.
Berkley loves to make bold statements like when Michael Jordan criticised his team’s ownership. He had no problem pointing out that he could defeat James. If they were in their prime, Berkley would have no problem choosing herself.
“He gives me some trouble, but he gives everyone trouble. You can’t stop a great player, whether it’s Kobe, Durant or LeBron,” Berkley said in an episode of the 2012 Dan Patrick Show.
“It’s not baseball where great pitchers stop a big hit. Michael and I laugh when some people are called “Jordan Stopper.” Hey, you can’t stop a great player. ”
Barkley has a good point as the top offensive player can fall down with any defender. An offensive player will direct the game, so that’s the name of the game. The defender is only adapted to what offensive players do.
Swallowing is a bitter drug, but better attacks win almost every time. Sometimes defense can work well enough to prevent good scorers. However, most of the time, first-class scorers find a way. The league has also become softer on defense, and Gary Payton II pointed it out as a problem.
That’s what Berkley claimed in 2012, knowing that his underrated offense could defeat James. Even James did it many times throughout his career. James faced top defenders like Draymond Green, but he still won the matchup. That’s because he’s the top offensive player and he has advantages.