Charles Barkley explained why he strongly disliked Kyrie calling LeBron to apologize

BarDown Staff

Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images

If the Boston Celtics end up anywhere close to the NBA Finals, we'll probably be able to look back at Wednesday night's win over the Raptors as a major turning point in their season.

Kyrie Irving dished out a career-high 18 assists and after the game, he revealed he called LeBron James to apologize for "being that young player that wanted everything at his fingertips" while with the Cavs.

Kyrie Irving says he called LeBron James after the Celtics’ loss to the Magic to apologize for “being that young player that wanted everything at his fingertips.” Naturally, there were a lot of follow-up q’s and he told us all to relax. pic.twitter.com/d4zeRKUbA5
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) January 17, 2019

Irving is learning how to become a leader on the fly and that phone call was one of those moments of self-realization for the Celtics' star. Not everyone was a fan of the call, though, and Thursday night Charles Barkley explained why he didn't like it.

Chuck wasn't feeling Kyrie's comments about calling LeBron to apologize. pic.twitter.com/H1FELmze4t
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 18, 2019

The point about Irving not needing to say he's a leader seemed to resonate with NBA fans.

Spot On Chuck ... These young Kats need to learn, you dont have to tell EVERYTHING to the public ......
— OldPopeyeSalt (@OldPopeyeSalt) January 18, 2019

Charles is right. You don't need to tell anyone that you are a leader. JUST BE A LEADER. People know it.
— dean myer 🐦 (@SportsDean) January 18, 2019

Love Kyrie but the Chuckster is 100% right about this. Kyrie Is a attention seeker not a leader. He’s playing people like dummies and like Barkley, I ain’t buying it.
— Keezy (@harjkang92) January 18, 2019

With some big matchups on the horizon (Warriors on the 26th, Lakers on February 7th), we'll have a chance to see if the Celtics have really turned the corner or if the inconsistencies will continue.

(H/T: NBA on TNT)