Charles Barkley: LeBron's National Anthem Antics 'Very Disrespectful'

NBA legend and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley could never be accused of being shy or soft-spoken. The Inside the NBA co-host recently sat down with NBA Today on SiriusXM to talk about all things basketball, and the topic of Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James's latest antics during the National Anthem came up.

James was recorded looking like he was practicing his golf swing and basketball shot during the singing of the anthem during the season-opening contest between James's Sixers and the defending champion New York Knicks.

LeBron working on his golf swing pregame 🏌️‍♂️

(via @alexdaysports) pic.twitter.com/rgdHRz5G4k

— TickPick (@TickPick) October 21, 2026

Barkley was asked about the video in question, along with President Donald Trump's Truth Social comments about James's antics, and didn't mince words when it came to the way he acted and acts during anthem performances.

“[LeBron] was very disrespectful, but I don’t ever pay any attention to what President Trump says.”

Charles Barkley reacts to LeBron practicing his golf swing during the national anthem and Donald Trump’s criticism.https://t.co/ZqMaVtcgLJ@TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 pic.twitter.com/CxAUy9B4fV

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 28, 2026

Here's Barkley's full comments in full context:

Well, number one, I don't pay what President Trump say any attention, first and foremost...at all! But, I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing a golf swing in the middle of the anthem. I think, I always stand for the anthem. I think it's important. We live in the greatest country ever.

You can always protest, but I think you have to be very careful with the anthem. I'm always gonna stand for the anthem. This country, whether you -- and first of all, it's not even close to being perfect. It's a really good, great, great country, but it's not even close to being perfect. And you can protest, but I think you have to do it very respectable. I really believe that. 

Because, I look at it, I'm supporting the troops when I stand for the National Anthem. I'm standing there for free speech, so even though I believe in free speech, I think you have to be very careful with the anthem. I always stand for the anthem. I think it's important. I think it's significant. 

But, I don't pay anything, any -- President Trump says something. I thought what LeBron did was very disrespectful, but I don't ever pay anything President Trump says any attention.

You can see Trump's Truth Social post about James below:

While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he's no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE. LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for! President DONALD J. TRUMP

Hey, maybe LeBron should join the WNBA? He could kill two birds with one stone. James could average 100 points a game, and no one would say anything about him doing whatever he wants during the anthem.