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Jonathan Bachman

'I'm not going to let him disrespect my legacy': LeBron savages 'hater' Barkley

Barkley questioned the four-time MVP’s leadership as the Cleveland Cavaliers chase back-to-back titles.

FOR THE FIRST time since February 2006, LeBron James has a losing record in a calendar month (minimum 10 games) – and he’s not happy.

Fresh from taking aim at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office for their failure to strengthen their roster, James and the Cavs went down to the Dallas Mavericks in a stunning 104-97 loss on Monday night.

This time he directed his frustrations at Inside the NBA pundit Charles Barkley, who questioned the four-time MVP’s leadership as the Cavs chase back-to-back NBA titles.

“Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above,” Barkley said of James last week. “The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted. They have the highest payroll in NBA history.

Barkley continued: “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 want to compete? He is an amazing player. They’re the defending champs.”

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“He’s a hater,” James told ESPN in response. “What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV?

“I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that. 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’m tired of biting my tongue,” James added. “There’s a new sheriff in town.”

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    Mute James Fox
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    Jan 9th 2022, 4:10 PM

    It must be a first. Two guys from the same club managing two intercounty teams outside of their own county

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    Mute Finnster
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    Jan 9th 2022, 6:56 PM

    Good man Henry, he tried out plenty of lads today including O Shea from a junior hurling team.

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    Mute Mike Keane
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    Jan 9th 2022, 7:13 PM

    @Finnster: Might be a good thing to have an outside manager. He might look beyond the usual 3 or 4 clubs that usually make up the squad.

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    Mute Pauly Kel
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    Jan 9th 2022, 7:57 PM

    @Finnster: not a bad display from the faithful stick men either.

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    Mute Phil West
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    Jan 9th 2022, 8:06 PM

    @Finnster: I think Donal O Shea is the first Salthill player on senior hurling team. Good start!

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    Mute Finnster
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    Jan 9th 2022, 8:29 PM

    @Mike Keane: exactly

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    Mute Finnster
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    Jan 9th 2022, 8:32 PM

    @Pauly Kel: not bad at all , I grew up in awe of the Dooley’s, Whelehans and Troy’s of Offaly . Great to see Offaly back where they should be

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    Mute murt de murty
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    Jan 9th 2022, 8:42 PM

    @Finnster: In the Joe McDonagh Cup?

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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jan 9th 2022, 8:44 PM

    @Mike Keane: many internal mangers come with some bias towards their local county club and rival county club, an outside manager can look at the players

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    Mute Finnster
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    Jan 9th 2022, 10:35 PM

    @murt de murty: I know but they are on the way back up the way . Hopefully

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    Mute Pauly Kel
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    Jan 9th 2022, 10:42 PM

    @murt de murty: have to start somewhere again.. Fennelly is the right man in charge.

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    Mute Pauly Kel
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    Jan 9th 2022, 10:42 PM

    @Finnster: some players no doubt about it.. Little steps

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Jan 9th 2022, 4:47 PM

    Maybe anthony daly and davy

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Jan 9th 2022, 4:49 PM

    @Tony Mcgrath: Not the same club I don’t think

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    Mute Daniel Roche
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    Jan 9th 2022, 5:15 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: ya Daly was Clarecastle and Davy sixmilebridge

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    Mute Great White Hope
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    Jan 9th 2022, 6:39 PM

    Early days yet.

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    Mute Frank Naughton
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    Jan 9th 2022, 10:17 PM

    It’s not soccer. It’s the players ,not the managers, that win games.!!

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