Former NBA player Pero Antic has launched a scathing attack on LeBron James, claiming the four-time champion has “ruined the NBA”.
Antic, who spent two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks between 2013 and 2015, made the comments during an appearance on the Jao Mile podcast.
The former North Macedonia international, who also won three EuroLeague titles during his career, criticised James’ behaviour and dismissed comparisons between the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Antic takes aim at LeBron James
James has divided opinion throughout his career, particularly since his controversial decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010.
Although his return to Cleveland and the historic 2016 NBA championship helped restore his reputation, criticism has continued throughout the latter stages of his career.
Antic has now made clear that he is not among the 41-year-old’s admirers.
“I can’t watch the NBA anymore. They compare him to Jordan and Kobe. He’s like a little girl: he’s always asking for something, then pretends he’s been wronged and complains,” Antic said.
“LeBron ruined the NBA in a sense. That’s my opinion.”
LeBron criticised over scoring record and Bronny
James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in February 2023, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 38,387 points.
However, Antic suggested James had deliberately prioritised extending his records over other considerations.
He also took issue with the four-time champion’s desire to play alongside his son, Bronny James.
“Ah, I’m going to pursue the title of top scorer on purpose so that no one ever catches up with me. Ah, I want my son to play with me. That’s not how things are supposed to be,” Antic said.
Bronny entered the NBA when the Los Angeles Lakers selected him in the second round of the 2024 draft.
James’ legacy continues to divide opinion
James has spent much of his career being compared with Jordan, with the debate over basketball’s greatest player continuing long after the former Chicago Bulls star retired.
The expectations surrounding James began before he entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2003 draft.
His failure to win a championship during his first spell in Cleveland, followed by his move to Miami, made him one of the league’s most polarising figures.
James eventually won two championships with the Heat before returning to Cleveland and leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA title in 2016.
He added a fourth championship with the Lakers in 2020, further strengthening his place among the sport’s most accomplished players.
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