Rings don’t tell the whole story, but try convincing the internet of that. In basketball, the scoreboard ends the game, but the ring debate? That lasts forever. One, two, none—it haunts, it divides, it headlines. And while some wear it like armor, others like LeBron James and Steve Nash still flinch at its sharp edge. Because when you’ve given everything to a team sport, why must a single missing ring define your entire legacy?
Well, Stephen A. Smith did call Giannis Antetokounmpo an “underachiever” because he has one ring. That statement led to a series of backlashes for ESPN’s precious gem, somewhat ignoring the fact that the Greek Freak himself doesn’t like his one-ring situation. However, we need to understand the prevalent ring culture in the NBA and sports in general.
Charles Barkley’s regrets become the basis for LeBron James’ important sports debate
So, on the Mind The Game podcast, LeBron James said, “I don’t know why it’s discussed so much in our sport and why it’s the A all, B all of everything. Like, okay, you weren’t a great player? You never won a championship? Or if you won one, then you can’t be in the same conversation with this person?” The simple rule in the world of sports is: No matter what you have, you need more.
Now, with some examples, the 40-year-old Lakers star explained his logic. “It’s just like, you sit here and tell me Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley and Steve Nash weren’t f—— unbelievable? Like, oh, they can’t be talked about or discussed with these guys because this guy won one ring or won two rings? It’s just weird to me.”
Now, imagine saying Peyton Manning or Dan Marino doesn’t belong in the same room as Brady or Mahomes. Sounds absurd, right? Yet in the NBA, that logic runs wild. Other sports honor greatness beyond rings. Meanwhile, people rarely mention someone like Aaron Rodgers just because he “only” has one Super Bowl win.
James further questions: “It’s like you automatically dismiss people and their careers when you say he didn’t win a ring or he doesn’t have a ring. Have you actually sat down and really looked at this guy’s career and what he was able to accomplish?”
LeBron James
Jerry West made it to nine straight Finals and won just once, yet he was the logo of the league. So why act like one ring disqualifies greatness? Titles matter, sure. But context matters more. If West can be the face of the NBA, then his legacy runs deeper than jewelry.
However, for Charles Barkley, his no-ring career seems like a massive regret; one that he cannot contain but spills from time to time. Chuck in his prime, bullied giants, dazzled fans, and built a legacy that earned him global praise. He turned dominance into art, even as an undersized force. Yet one jewel slipped through—an NBA title. And to this day, his Phoenix Suns near-miss remains the one chapter he wishes he could rewrite.
“The only thing I ever felt bad about to be honest with you is I couldn’t win the Suns a championship,” he confessed to Shannon Sharpe in the latest episode of Club Shay Shay Podcast. “Because in Philly, they had [three], in Houston, they had [two]. I have always felt bad that I wasn’t able to bring a championship to Phoenix because that’s my home.”
Now, coming back to LeBron James and Steve Nash’s conversation. You’re surely wondering why the two legends of the NBA are suddenly discussing rings and more. Well, you must thank Stephen A. Smith for that because the 57-year-old has stirred some odd pots this time.
Stephen A. Smith’s one-word turned hell for him on First Take
Calling Giannis Antetokounmpo an underachiever is like blaming the sun for setting—it’s dramatic, but completely off. Still, Stephen A. Smith went there, live and loud. One ring? Giannis turned that into a masterpiece for the Milwaukee Bucks. But the take didn’t land softly. Jay Williams made sure the thunder had its lightning.
“That was one of your worst takes I’ve heard in a long time, man. That was horrible. I had to…I think we really need to do a better job of reframing some of these conversations,” Jay Williams slammed Stephen A.. He pointed out, “If you were to say that the franchise, the Milwaukee Bucks, have underachieved or are the biggest underachievers with the talent of Giannis—fair.”
Jay Williams on Stephen A. Smith calling Giannis an ‘underachiever’:
“That was one of your worst takes I’ve heard in a long time. That was horrible… I think we really need to do a better job of reframing some of these conversations.”
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/pQgWa4p0tX
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 16, 2025
However, Antetokounmpo is “a guy who has a 50-point closeout game, a guy who’s never chased any of these dream team scenarios, a guy who is a Finals MVP, a guy who’s a multi-time All-Star, All-NBA, All-everything, global face of the game.” Calling the Greek Freak an underachiever seems outrageous to many people, including Jay Williams.
Rings may sparkle, but they rarely tell the full story. LeBron James challenged the obsession, pointing to legends like Barkley and Nash—giants without jewelry but not without legacy. Giannis Antetokounmpo, with his loyalty and Finals masterpiece, deserves more than Stephen A. Smith’s dismissive label. Even Barkley’s lingering regret shows how deeply this flawed narrative runs. So while the ring culture rages on, maybe it’s time we measure greatness by impact, not just the number of trophies.
The post LeBron James Uses Charles Barkley’s Biggest Regret to Hit Back at Stephen A. Smith’s Controversial Remark appeared first on EssentiallySports.