Charles Barkley calls out LeBron James for disrespecting the national anthem with practice golf swing
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“But I will say this practicing your golf swing during the anthem is childish, ridiculous, asinine behavior for somebody that was born to a 16-year-old mother, had to live at his friend’s house and became a billionaire in the country that allowed him to do it.”
Charles Barkley did not appreciate seeing LeBron James practicing his golf swing on the court during the middle of the national anthem ahead of his Philadelphia 76ers debut earlier this month.
President Donald Trump blasted James after the incident, calling him a “total disgrace,” and while Barkley made it a point to say he doesn’t care what the President has to say about anything, the two see eye to eye when it comes to James disrespecting the anthem.
“I don’t pay what President Trump says any attention, first and foremost, at all,” Barkley began when asked about the moment on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “But I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing your golf swing in the middle of the anthem. I always stand for the anthem. I just think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever where you can always protest, but I think you have to be very careful with the anthem.”
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Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley sits courtside during an NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
This is not the first time James has decided that the middle of the national anthem was an opportune time to work on his golf swing.
Last Christmas, while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, James got in a few practice swings ahead of his team’s eventual loss to the Houston Rockets.
LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers stands for the national anthem before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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While Barkley mentioned always being allowed to protest, it doesn’t appear that James was protesting anything in this instance, but instead simply not being able to stand still and disrespecting the anthem in the process.
“I look at it, I’m supporting the troops when I stand for the national anthem,” Barkley continued. “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, and I think it’s significant.”
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Oct. 22, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pa. (Getty Images)
James’ faux golf swings in the middle of the anthem have understandably drawn attention and criticism, but perhaps the most disrespectful stunt he’s pulled during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ came back in 2023.
As a late arrival to his courtside seats at USC to watch his son, Bronny James, play for the Trojans, LeBron made his entrance during the middle of the anthem, with a hat on, and sat in his seat while the rest of the arena was standing and showing respect to the United States.
