Charles Barkley does not want to hear any more excuses when it comes to LeBron James and his lack of game-winning shots and a perceived deficiency in clutch play, especially during the fourth quarter of games.
James is only 21, but Barkley said three years in the NBA is enough seasoning to step up his game and become more of a threat during prime time.
"LeBron's not a rookie anymore," said Barkley, one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time and an analyst for TNT. "He's got to have an imprint on the game in the last minute, by making a big rebound, getting a stop, taking a big shot, any way he can get it done.
"They shouldn't lose five or six games in a row unless they're playing the Spurs or the Pistons during that span. He shouldn't let that happen."
The Cavs have certainly had their fair share of losing streaks this season, and it isn't fair to put all the blame on one player just like it isn't fair to give one player all the credit.
Questions have surfaced about some of James' decisions late in games and his inability to make winning shots in the final seconds.
The ball of criticism began to roll in January when James missed a potential winning shot against the Los Angeles Lakers and then passed up open shots against the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.
Barkley jumped on James' play following the Cavs' loss to the Washington Wizards. In the loss, James was 0-for-8 from the field in the second half and 4-of-12 from the free-throw line, including four straight misses from the line in the final minutes.
"LeBron's got to be more selfish," Barkley said. "His team is going to expect him to finish these games. He can't have three or five points in the second half. He's got to decide and say to himself that 'we're not going to lose tonight.' He's got to find away where the outcome of the game is in his hands. If he wants to be great, he's got to make it happen."
