LeBron James blew away 99% of the people watching when he switched hands mid-dunk. That 1% who was not impressed was Charles Barkley. He was done with the replays, the comments, and the mashups with Michael Jordan’s mid-air switch. Especially after the Lakers underperformed to expectations in that 118-97 loss. Chuck is not only extending his beef with the Lakers (after arguing with JJ Redick), he’s calling out TNT and going against the grain.

In the first half against the Mavs, LeBron was trying to rake up assists and failing. So when Max Christie lobbed the ball to him, he went aerial. Dallas’ Dereck Lively tried to block but Bron switched hands mid-air and dunked on him. That clip was played everywhere, from multiple angles, with extra effects, and a lot of reactions. Most can’t believe this man turned 40 last week.

TNT opened the halftime report with a clip of Michael Jordan switching hands mid-dunk before playing James’ clip. Chuck had hit his limit though. “It must’ve been a beautiful play if we’ve shown it 22 times.” So Ernie Johnson asked if he didn’t think that play was worth it. Barkley simply said, “Not 22 times.” He further said, “It was a very nice [play], we don’t have to show it a 100 times.” 

Earlier, even Shaquille O’Neal sort of took offence they played James’ video with Jordan’s. He said it’s “not the same thing,” and Ernie defended the TNT crew. Even Kenny “The Jet” Smith tried to convince Chuck that not a lot of 40-year-olds are playing like James. But Barkley completely steered the subject to the Mavs.

Interestingly, the Lakers were in the lead at halftime when Barkley was commending the Mavs’ strategy. The tide turned and the Lakers lost by 21 points, and Barkley was still annoyed by all the dunk replays.

Charles Barkley doesn’t want to watch that dunk

LeBron James’ dunk today was the showstopper for valid reasons. Even Lakers legend, Magic Johnson was in awe that he was on X within seconds hyping him. TNT’s Reggie Miller was in the arena when it happened and he was left shook. The dunk may have even overshadowed the Lakers’ disappointing loss too. But not in Studio J.

The post-game show got a bit serious when Charles Barkley made his opinion about the Lakers clear. “The Lakers stink, plain and simple.”

His annoyance amplified when the TNT crew replayed James’ dunk once more in the game highlights. Ernie again said it was impressive to which Barkley said, “Must’ve been. We’ve shown it three times in a row. Damn!”

This comes right after Chuck called out JJ Redick for blaming Inside the NBA for NBA’s declining ratings. He’s even taken grave offence to the Bron-Jordan comparisons lately. The Lakers aren’t his favorite team right now. Especially after they lost to the Mavs without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the game. So no posterizers are going to win over Barkley any time soon.