Barkley: MJ has edge in GOAT debate because LeBron 'stacked his teams'

Charles Barkley believes there's one key reason LeBron James will never overtake Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time, and it has to do with the teammates he's surrounded himself with throughout his career.

During an appearance on HBO's "Back On The Record With Bob Costas," Barkley pointed to James' "stacked" teams as to why Jordan has the upper hand.

"The reason I give Jordan the edge ... actually, in fairness, I don't even put LeBron past Kobe. Let's get that out the way, I want to be fair," Barkley said. "The reason I put Michael up there before those other guys, LeBron has stacked his teams. Let's be realistic."

Barkley, who has been vocal about his dislike of superteams, also likened the grind Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks went through to win an NBA championship to that of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

"Winning all the time - like we all want to win, but the struggle is part of your legacy," Barkley said. "And what Giannis did this year and what Michael (was) doing when the Pistons beat the hell out of him for three or four straight years, and he's like, 'No, I'mma keep getting better. I'mma keep getting better.' That's the difference in my opinion."

James' Los Angeles Lakers have been busy in the last week, adding big names like Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and more.