While the majority of NBA fans only seem to go between two players in the GOAT debate, Charles Barkley has other opinions. Don’t ask Sir Charles who is his choice for the best player in NBA history because his criteria are different. He’s played against some of the strongest and has immense admiration for current players too. The TNT analyst was vocal about one of his favorite players ever not getting his due credit. He made that known during his recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast.

Barkley threw another name in the GOAT debate this time after going between LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Interestingly, his first meeting with this player didn’t go so well. At least not for Barkley. Decades later, he’s putting the guy who shooed him on the pedestal.

Charles Barkley lauds Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Barkley, in the spirit of full disclosure, first said he loved LeBron James. But he said most of the people who are hyping The King as the greatest player, are of a different generation. The majority of them have not seen Jordan actually play, in Barkley’s opinion.

Chuck would even say Kobe Bryant is the closest to Jordan he’s seen anyone play.

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The Round Mound of Rebound is familiar with MJ’s play. He’s also played with and against other icons in the league.  But Chuck’s not going to let different eras get in the way of giving players their flowers.

“I always feel bad that Kareem got left out of that conversation as the greatest player ever,” he said about the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Barkley expressed similar sentiments when LBJ surpassed the six-time champion’s all-time scoring record this year.

READ MORE: For the Very First Time, Charles Barkley Reveals Facing Jury Over Nasty Altercation Amid Career Altering Trade

Because of the lack of appreciation to players such as Kareem, Barkley said, “That’s why I think it’s lazy when guys throw it out there.”

Barkley isn’t allowing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get snubbed in the greatest player discussion. Instead, Chuck says, “Let’s do generations. You’ve never seen Michael Jordan play, you never saw Kareem play.”

That time Kareem snubbed Barkley

Ironically, the six-time champion himself snubbed him on their very first encounter. It happened at an All-Star game they both played in. The two never met at that point, so Barkley went over to introduce himself to Kareem who was nose-deep in a book.

“I walk over, said, ‘Hey Mr. Jabbar, can I talk to you?’ And he looks up and says, ‘I’m reading.” I am like ‘okay.'” 

Kareem and other pros who were there – and who actually set Barkley up to embarrass himself – confirmed this was how their first meeting went. Despite that awkward first meeting, the duo would go on to become friends with mutual admiration for each other.

If others aren’t going to hype Kareem, at least Charles Barkley is. What do you think about his take?

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