As if LeBron James and his Wine and Gold counter-parts need more motivation to beat a 13-30 team on their home court, a former basketball "great" turned grumpy, bitter, hater has filled the void. 

Rick Barry, he who likes to take shots at teams, players and coaches, evidentally trying to get back at the NBA for turning the cold shoulder on him, turned his vigor towards LeBron James during an interview, and while everyone is entitled to their opinion, its hard to listen to pure ignorance.  Barry, when asked about James and the Cavs upcoming visit to the Bay Area to play the Warriors had this glowing review of LeBron and the Cavalier coaching staff - 

He’s got major flaws in his game,” the Warriors great said in an interview airing Wednesday night. “He’s six years into the NBA. How can a man six years into the NBA with his talent have a major flaw in his shot? How can he not use screens effectively?

I watch the game very carefully, he doesn’t use screens effectively and this is not LeBron’s fault. It’s the fault of the people who are teaching him. … There is no doubt in my mind that LeBron, if shown these things, would do them, because he wants to be a great player. He wants to win a championship. As great as he is, he should be better.

Now, I won't sit here and say LeBron's game is perfect, or that he doesn't have things he needs to work on.  LeBron has and does say as much all the time.  His game is torn down and nitpicked more than any player in NBA history and has been since he was in 8th grade.  Listen to the words, however, and you'd think LeBron was the second coming of Harold Minor.

Of course the comment also takes a shot at the Cavaliers coaching staff.  Not only is LeBron "majorly flawed" as a basketball player, his coaches have no idea how to teach him.  Be sure Mike Brown is listening and will take a few notes.  I doubt many coaches could have gotten LeBron to play the type of defense Brown and his staff are.

I know Rick Barry is NBA Legend and I respect that.  Shots like this towards LeBron make Barry seem bitter and grumpy and frankly jealous.  Jealous of the NBA market of today, jealous that the game can come so easy to a player like LeBron.  Criticism is part of being a professional athlete, but intelligence doesn't necessarily come with the territory of athletic success.  In Barry's case, I'd much prefer he keep his ill-informed opionions to himself