Charles Barkley and his Olympic teammate Michael Jordan, the subject of ESPN’s wildly popular “The Last Dance” documentary, used to be thick as thieves. But the two haven’t been on speaking terms for the better part of a decade, a rift that began when Barkley made critical remarks on Jordan’s management of the then Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets). They say time heals all wounds, but apparently not this one.
“The guy was like a brother to me for, shoot, 20-something years,” Barkley told ESPN 1000 during an appearance on Tuesday’s “Waddle and Silvy Show.” “I feel sadness. But to me he's still the greatest basketball player ever. I wish him nothing but the best. But, there's nothing I can do about it, brother."
Born just three days apart, Barkley and Jordan frequently crossed paths during their careers (both entered the league in 1984), starring on the iconic “Dream Team” together at the Barcelona Games in 1992 before meeting in the 1993 NBA Finals, with Jordan’s Chicago Bulls capturing the title over Barkley’s Phoenix Suns in a thrilling, six-game series.
“The thing that bothered me the most about that whole thing, I don't think that I said anything that bad,” said Barkley, who thought MJ would appreciate his candor rather than be offended. “Listen, if you're famous, and Michael at one point was the most famous person in the world, everybody around you is either on the payroll or letting you buy drinks and dinner and flying around on your private jet. Very few of your friends are going to be honest with you.”
Barkley, who has made a career out of being a loose cannon on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” isn’t sure why Jordan singled him out after MJ’s former Bulls coach, Phil Jackson, offered a similar criticism. While Jordan removed Barkley from his inner circle, Jackson remains close with his prized pupil.
“I'm pretty sure I said, 'As much as I love Michael, until he stops hiring them kiss-asses and his best friends, he's never going to be successful as a general manager.' And I remember pretty much verbatim I said that,” Sir Charles recalls of his initial falling out with Jordan. “And the thing that really pissed me off about it later is Phil Jackson said the exact same thing."
It’s been a full eight years since Barkley put Jordan on blast, but the Round Mound of Rebound doesn’t see a reconciliation in the offing. “He got my number,” said the Hall-of-Fame forward. “He can call me.”
Even if it cost him a friendship, the famously outspoken Barkley has no plans to water down his criticism of NBA stars and league execs. “Joel Embiid hates me because I call him lazy,” said the former Sixer. “He's a great kid, but I'm like, 'Yo, man. You got to get in shape to play basketball.' So I'm going to do my job no matter what."
If “The Last Dance” has taught us anything about Jordan, it’s that the GOAT holds a hell of a grudge (just ask Isiah Thomas). With Barkley standing by his earlier remarks and Jordan still sour from Chuck’s criticism, don’t expect an olive branch between the friends-turned-rivals to be extended anytime soon.
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