{"id":824584,"date":"2026-07-25T05:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T05:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/824584\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T05:02:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T05:02:23","slug":"charles-barkley-calls-lebron-james-doofus-after-76ers-decision-ruins-golf-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/824584\/","title":{"rendered":"Charles Barkley calls LeBron James \u2018doofus\u2019 after 76ers decision ruins golf plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

LeBron James\u2019 decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. It also ruined Charles Barkley\u2019s Friday afternoon. James announced Friday that he will join Philadelphia on a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a player option for the second season. The blockbuster decision ended weeks of speculation surrounding the 41-year-old star\u2019s future and immediately transformed the 76ers into one of the favorites to win the 2027 NBA championship.<\/p>\n

While most of the basketball world celebrated or debated the move, Barkley had a different concern. The NBA Hall of Famer was apparently on his way to play golf when James made the announcement and forced him to change his plans. Barkley jokingly expressed his frustration during an appearance on \u201cThe Stephen A. Smith Show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was heading to the golf course and now I gotta turn around because this doofus had to make his announcement,\u201d Barkley said. \u201cDon\u2019t interrupt my damn schedule. I\u2019ve been playing golf all week and now y\u2019all piss me off because I gotta work on a Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only Barkley could respond to one of the biggest transactions in recent NBA history by complaining about missing a round of golf.<\/p>\n

Charles Barkley has strong connection to Philadelphia<\/p>\n

Barkley\u2019s reaction carried additional meaning because of his long history with the 76ers. Philadelphia selected Barkley with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the franchise, earning six consecutive All-Star selections before being traded to the Phoenix Suns<\/a> in 1992.<\/p>\n

Charles Barkley says LeBron ruined his day:<\/p>\n

\u201cI was heading to the golf course and now I gotta turn around cause this doofus had to make his announcement. Don’t interrupt my damn schedule I’ve been playing golf all week and now y\u2019all piss me off cause I gotta work on a Friday.\u201d\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ES3rxJTYKe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Barkley later won the 1993 NBA MVP award with Phoenix, but he remains closely associated with Philadelphia. The 76ers retired his No. 34 jersey in 2001. James will now attempt to accomplish something Barkley could not: bring an NBA championship back to Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

The 76ers have not won the title since 1983, one year before Barkley entered the league. Expectations will be enormous after adding James to a roster already featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0LeBron James\u2019 76ers decision puts powerful Mike Gansey, Bob Myers connections in spotlight<\/a><\/p>\n

LeBron James makes \u2018last decision\u2019<\/p>\n

James called his move to Philadelphia his \u201clast decision\u201d after seriously considering retirement following his 23rd NBA season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team, and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,\u201d James announced.<\/p>\n

The four-time NBA champion is accepting a massive pay cut to chase his fifth title. He earned nearly $53 million during his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> but agreed to a deal worth only $8 million over two years with Philadelphia. James made it clear that money was not driving his decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going for money. I\u2019m not going for family,\u201d James wrote. \u201cWhat am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Philadelphia will become the fourth franchise of James\u2019 career, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>, Miami Heat<\/a> and Lakers. He will also become the first player in NBA history to appear in a 24th season.<\/p>\n

The move gives James another legitimate shot at a championship. It gives the 76ers one of the NBA\u2019s most talented rosters. And, much to Barkley\u2019s annoyance, it gave him a reason to turn the car around and go back to work.<\/p>\n

More NBA news:<\/p>\n