LeBron James says "Screw Charles Barkley," references arrests

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A "terrible" record in January has really gotten to NBA superstar LeBron James.

So much so that he has his sights set on NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, after Barkley's recent comments criticizing the four-time MVP.

Barkley, now a basketball analyst for TNT, went at James recently for his demands to Cleveland Cavaliers ownership to spend more and add another playmaker to his already stacked roster.

"Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above," Barkley said of James last week on TNT's Inside the NBA. "The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted. They have the highest payroll in NBA history. 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."

The defending champions are the NBA's biggest spenders over the last three seasons. Cleveland is spending $127.6 million and $27 million in luxury taxes this season.

James eclipsed 20,000 points for the franchise in Sundays win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I'm not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," James told ESPN. "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."

Barkley was arrested in 1997 after throwing a man through a plate-glass window in an Orlando bar. He was later charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest without violence. He told Colin Cowherd in 2015 that he has "been arrested eight times for punching fans." He also said that the fans "deserved it."

Barkley once spit on a little girl in 1991 during a game. He later called the incident "stupid" while appearing on In Depth with Graham Bensigner.

James, who has often been criticized for having complete control of the franchise, clarified his role with the team.

"I collect one paycheck from this," James told ESPN. "There's the owner, Griff's [David Griffin] the GM, I'm the player. Screw Charles Barkley."

"I'm tired of biting my tongue. There's a new sheriff in town."

Barkley told HBO's Bill Simmons this summer that James would "never" become a top-5 NBA player all-time. He called James a top-10 player.

In 2008, Barkley said on the Dan Patrick Show that James should "shut the hell up," when talking about his upcoming free agency. He later called his move to the Miami Heat a "punk move."

James responded at the time by saying: "He's stupid. That's all I've got to say about that."

James said that his schedule is "out there" and prompted Barkley to come talk to him at times other than All-Star Weekend. The forward is currently leading the NBA with 37.5 minutes per game. This season's All-Star Weekend is set for Feb. 17 to Feb. 19 in New Orleans.