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Watch: Barkley says James isn't better than Duncan, Kobe because of rings

Scott Halleran / Getty Images Sport / Getty

TNT analyst Charles Barkley isn't prepared to change his stance on where reigning NBA Finals MVP LeBron James ranks among the greatest players in NBA history.

"LeBron's right there," Barkley said at a recent Inside the NBA media event. "I don't understand why ya'll are in such a hurry to move him past Tim Duncan and Kobe (Bryant). Now if he wins a couple more championships, I might move him past Kobe and Tim Duncan.

"You guys are always talking about championships - Kobe and Tim got five, LeBron's got three. But all of a sudden, because those guys are retired, ya'll want to change the narrative. Ya'll the ones talking about rings."

James is coming off one of the most remarkable comebacks the basketball world has ever witnessed, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals to defeat the 73-win Golden State Warriors in a tight Game 7 victory on the road.

He still has plenty of time to add a fourth and fifth ring to his resume, and if that happens, Barkley will be prepared to bump him up his personal list.

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