“You can't learn to be a natural born killer” — Charles Barkley explains why Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were more dangerous than LeBron James

In the ongoing discussion about who the best NBA players are, Charles Barkley shares an interesting take. While a lot of folks put LeBron James in the top three, Barkley sees him as seventh, pointing out a key difference: that killer instinct. He believes Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant had a natural ferocity that LeBron just doesn't have. Barkley insists this isn't just about the numbers; it's about that unteachable drive that really defines greatness.

Why LeBron James ranks below Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in the all-time NBA hierarchyNBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley has ignited debate by putting LeBron James at number seven on his all-time greats list. Barkley argues that this is because LeBron doesn't possess the 'killer instinct,' that unyielding urge to crush his competition. He points out that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant had it in spades. "natural born killers," exhibiting an aggressive competitiveness that LeBron, in his view, does not possess.

During his appearance on the 'Spittin’ Chiclets' podcast, Barkley said, 'Nobody ever referred to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as nice guys.' He stressed that their goal was to win, but also to 'dominate, destroy, and humiliate' their competition. Barkley feels LeBron is 'too nice,' suggesting he lacks the aggressive edge that defined Jordan and Bryant's game.


Barkley pointed out that this killer instinct isn't something you can just pick up; it's something you're born with. He said, 'You can't train to be a natural born killer.' This view emphasizes the mental aspect of a player, which goes beyond just stats. Even though he recognizes LeBron's amazing career and what he's done for the sport, Barkley believes that without that natural aggression, LeBron falls short compared to Jordan and Bryant in the basketball legend rankings.

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Charles Barkley believes that true greatness in basketball goes beyond just stats and awards. He argues that having a killer instinct—the fierce drive to dominate opponents — is what really sets the legends apart. To Barkley, even though LeBron James has an impressive career, he lacks that raw intensity that keeps him from being on the same level as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.