LeBron James caused a storm when he appeared to practise his golf swing during the US national anthem before his Philadelphia 76ers debut against the New York Knicks. US President Donald Trump sharply criticised the forward, and NBA great Charles Barkley gave his verdict on SiriusXM NBA Radio. "I don't pay what President Trump says any attention, first and foremost, at all..." Barkley said. "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."
For Barkley, the principle never changes, and respect for national symbols comes first. "I look at it, I'm supporting the troops when I stand for the national anthem... I think you have to be very careful with the anthem," he said. Nor is this the first time James has behaved this way. Last Christmas, while with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was also seen working on his golf swing during the anthem before a game against the Houston Rockets, and in 2023 he arrived late to watch his son Bronny James play for USC, the University of Southern California, and stayed seated in a cap during the anthem while the rest of the arena stood.
