Charles Barkley Says Alex Ovechkin Is a Better Athlete Than LeBron James

TNT's playoff coverage a couple of nights ago included a debate on the best athlete in sports. After 45 seconds of bantering that was centered around Tiger Woods and Lebron James -- including a debate within the debate as to whether or not Woods is an actual athlete -- Charles Barkley decided to drop a bomb that brought the entire segment to a halt.

The silence was deafening ... until everyone on set let out a loud, slightly annoyed groan, almost as if they were embarrassed by the suggestion that a hockey player could be a better athlete than King James. Of course, hockey analysts and fans are still trying to determine if Ovechkin is the best athlete in his own sport, let alone all sports. Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Pavel Datsyuk would probably like a say in that debate as well.

Even so, it's nice to hear one of the NHL's brightest stars getting some attention in an unexpected forum. Regardless of where you stand in this argument, I think we can all agree that LeBron sees no shortage of praise -- rightfully so -- while Ovechkin is still not quite a household name.

(H/T D.C. Sports Bog)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-07-2009 @ 1:17PM

steve said...

i mean nothing is for certain but you can't definitively say who's better either way.

hockey players are just as athletic as anyone so its not a stretch at all to say a hockey player is more athletic than a basketball player.

I haven't followed the NHL too closely because I don't have VS and it seems like they always play on VS.

Is ovechkin the once in a generation player that lebron seems to be? I don't know I've only seen highlights of him on espn or youtube.

I think lots of people would choose lebron because it seems like if he wanted to he could go the Deion Sanders route and play multiple sports. Not to mention his agility is peerless at his size.

I would need a real objective hockey fan to tell me how great an athlete Alex is

5-08-2009 @ 4:02PM

Rick said...

To answer your questions, yes Ovechkin is the once in a generation player that Lebron is. Ovechkin is regarded as the Lebron or the Kobe of the NHL. I would say that Lebron is a better athlete because he runs faster, jumps higher, and is stronger than Ovechkin.

However, many people have said that Ovechkin could play in the NFL because of his willingness to hit and his toughness, so Ovechkin could be a multiple sport player just as Lebron could be.

As far as the both of them being able to play different sports I'd say it's pretty equal between the two. When it comes to athletic things, such as running, jumping, lifting or whatever, I'd have to say that Lebron has the advantage.

Ultimately, Ovechkin is just as good at hockey as Lebron is good at basketball. Oveckin won the MVP award last year and could easily win it this year, and Lebron just won the MVP award. Both players are future hall of fame players if they keep it up.

5-07-2009 @ 1:44PM

Dr Huxtable said...

Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton are both better athletes than Lebron. They can do everything Lebron does (plus they can run all day long) with one exception. When they try to take it to the hole, they don't stop dribbling outside the arc.

5-07-2009 @ 3:55PM

Josh Lipinski said...

Honorable Dr. Huxtable - that's a funny response. If you're actually being serious...

Wait, no. You're kidding, I know I know...

Ray Allen & Rip Hamilton better ATHLETES than LeBron?? Come on here. They're slower, can't jump as high, not as strong, not as agile...umm, I'm just going to say you picked a really tough side to debate from. But - maybe - you're the LeBron James of debating??

5-07-2009 @ 6:37PM

Rip is definitely faster than Lebron and his conditioning is infinitely better than Lebron's. Lebron might out jump Rip, but not by much. Lebron's dunks have always been about power, not ups. Agility is tough to prove either way, but since Rip actually dribbles the ball, I'm gonna give him that one. Lebron is definitely stronger and he's also a better ball player, but that's not relevant to the discussion.

In the end though, it's such a stupid argument either way, because what defines an athlete? Their speed? Their stamina? Their strength? It's too subjective and even more so between different sports.

5-07-2009 @ 2:06PM

Martin said...

These "debates" all hinge on one's definition of "athlete". Any of your top decathaletes are better all-round athletes than Lebron, Woods or Ovechkin. However, Lebron, Woods, and Ovechkin combine their athleticism with a temendous amount of skill in their chosen sport.

5-07-2009 @ 2:21PM

Mr.G said...

I guess just about ANY elite athlete at their respective sport could make the same claim then.Bicycling,tennis,boxing,soccer,marathon runner,etc,etc. 1 thing is for certain though,Charles Barkley is a complete and utter buffoon and his jealousy of LeBron James is all too apparent.At this point,James at 24 yrs old-6'8"-265 lbs, COULD end up to be a once in a lifetime type of athlete at his sport, and I don't think anybody is seriously saying that about Ovechkin.Also,as dominating a PLAYER that Tiger Woods is,nobody should be shopping him as a world class ATHLETE.There is a huge difference.

5-07-2009 @ 3:14PM

Dr Huxtable doesn't watch much basketball,does he?

5-07-2009 @ 3:49PM

smehl1506 said...

No matter who is a better athlete, the fact that Ovechkin is even part of the debate is huge, especially considering all those yahoos and sports snobs out there who refuse to acknowledge hockey as a major sport and hockey players as athletes at all. REAL sports fans respect all sports and all athletes.

5-07-2009 @ 9:20PM

George said...

The main point is that Barkley never shuts his fat mouth,go drink and drive some more and then let Marv Albert chew on your breasts Charles,you moron. Who hires these law-breaking announcers anyway? And we wonder why our society is going downhill.

5-07-2009 @ 7:57PM

Welcome Dawn said...

And Charles Barkley is who ?? or what ?? and where is is noted that His opinion matters ?
What we do know is the Lard Azz Barkley couldnt hold Lebrons jock strap on his best day. Stick to drinking and driving Barkley , you do have that down pat

5-07-2009 @ 11:39PM

joeinbost said...

This is a continuation of th argument in the 1980 when it was Gretky vs Jordan. By share numbers over the average player Wayne trumped Michael Same thing with the argument now. Here is my point of view, anybody can run and jump, by skating that is a SKILL

5-08-2009 @ 8:52AM

rlbrooks726 said...

Did Charles Barkley question whether Tiger Woods should be considered an athlete? I'm quite certain Sir Charles considers himself to be an athlete...well, at least when he was playing in the NBA...pre-lard-a** days. Has Sir Charles watched video of himself over the past 20 years as he has struggled and failed to hit a golf ball? If a great athlete such as Sir Charles can't hit a golf ball...and really, it's so funny to watch him try...how could he ever question Tiger Woods' athletic ability? Now I wouldn't say Tiger compares to LeBron James as an athlete, as I believe there are different levels of athletic ability. But, if being an athlete requires strength, eye hand coordination and a certain amount of stamina...then I would say that professional golfers are definitely athletes.

5-08-2009 @ 8:57AM

Well said George. You can add Brent Musburger to your list of law breaking, drunken sports commentators that should be kicked off the air. The news media wants the professional players to be role models for the kids...how about the commentators?

5-10-2009 @ 1:23PM

Jeffree Malixi said...

Kenny Smith's not an ATHLETE! He was LUCKY he made the NBA. In fact, Kenny Smith SUCKED as a basketball player.

5-08-2009 @ 4:00PM

Rich Cantwell said...

Mr. Gretz look what you started. Come on now, clearly Barkley is not serious about Ovechkin, as he is laughing while answering. But just mention Barkley's name and people go off. I hated Barkley the player, but he can be funny as a commenter.

5-08-2009 @ 5:37PM

turnr47 said...

Does anyone out there really care what the nondressing, countrybut,envious-no-ring-owning, gambling, alcholic, have to say..He should be glad he's allowed to continue to spew out his ignorance..Yep! ... a has been who is bitter because he doesnt own a ring..... NO-Class.
No roll modeling skills.
Im out.

5-09-2009 @ 9:21AM

Taylors said...

Hockey players are incredible athletes. Can you imagine doing what they do frontwards and backwards on 2 thin blades over ice while constantly getting hit from all sides, and still be able to move a small puck around and make a pinpoint shot. If you made Lebron, 5'11", would he still be a great basketball player? Can he dribble to the basket and put up an incredible shot?