Charles Barkley doesn’t agree with the concept that LeBron James is one way or the other beating Father Time, arguing that sturdy regular-season numbers should be evaluated alongside postseason outcomes.
Talking on the Invoice Simmons podcast, Barkley pointed to James’ latest playoff exits whereas acknowledging that the 41-year-old stays productive.
“We’ve to be trustworthy about LeBron. Simply since you’re placing up good numbers don’t imply you’re being affective. — Folks say he’s defying the chances but when my reminiscence serves me accurately, he’s gotten swept within the playoffs the final couple of years. — LeBron is enjoying properly however to say he’s beating Father Time, they acquired swept the final two years within the playoffs so don’t inform me how nice he’s enjoying,” Barkley stated.
James averaged 20.9 factors, 6.1 rebounds and seven.2 assists in 60 video games for the Los Angeles Lakers in the course of the 2025-26 common season. He shot 51.5% from the sector however made solely 31.7% of his three-point makes an attempt.
At 41, James remained an All-Star and prolonged his profession totals to 1,622 regular-season video games. Throughout 23 seasons, he has averaged 26.8 factors, 7.5 rebounds and seven.4 assists whereas capturing 50.7% from the sector.
Nonetheless, Barkley’s criticism facilities on what occurred as soon as the Lakers reached the playoffs. Los Angeles was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
James averaged 23.2 factors, 6.7 rebounds and seven.3 assists in these 10 playoff video games whereas capturing 45.9% from the sector and 32.7% from three-point vary. He additionally averaged 3.8 turnovers per recreation.
The Lakers completed the common season 53-29, good for fourth place within the Western Convention, earlier than defeating the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round.
The consequence continued a latest stretch during which James has remained statistically productive whereas his groups have fallen in need of championship competition. His 2024-25 marketing campaign produced 24.4 factors, 7.8 rebounds and eight.2 assists per recreation, and he earned All-NBA Second Group honors.
James enters the 2026-27 season with a brand new crew after leaving Los Angeles in free agency. He signed a two-year minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, with a participant choice for the second season.
