Following Wednesday's thrilling win over the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors, Celtics superstar Kyrie Irving confessed to reporters that he recently placed a phone call to LeBron James to apologize for how their relationship on the Cleveland Cavaliers came to such a frosty end, and ask for advice about leading a young Boston team.
The move has drawn praise in some corners of the media. Others, not so much.
Hall of Famer and colorfully outspoken pundit Charles Barkley was not impressed, and let it rip Thursday night on TNT:
"I didn't like it at all," Barkley said. "It seemed like he was saying, 'We're losing because of these guys, they're young, they don't know how to win'. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year without him. You don't have to tell people you're a leader -- just be a leader.
"That kid played great last night. That's one of the few games I've seen where he really made a conscious effort to make everyone around him better. But this thing like, 'I called LeBron because he taught me to be a leader' -- then be a leader. You don't have to tell us you're a leader."
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