Charles Barkley Nudges Shaquille O’Neal to Draw Inspiration From Michael Jordan’s Latest Gimmick & Destroys Chicago Bulls on Live TV

A journalist put it best – Bulls fans have turned a Ring of Honor ceremony into a punchline. Charles Barkley is adept at running with one. He’s among the many who won’t let the franchise forget the disastrous inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony, one that was marred with boos to the late Jerry Krause and the three biggest honorees skipping the event. Chuck already slammed the unruly spectators. Now it’s the turn of the non-attendees.

He sought to enlist his TNT bestie, Shaquille O’Neal in it. ICYMI, Big Diesel is going to be the first player in Orlando Magic’s history to have his jersey retired on February 13. Chuck suggested O’Neal follow the path of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, who didn’t show up to the Bulls gala.

“Start a new trend,” he recommended to Shaq after jokingly telling him to skip his jersey retirement ceremony. The comment came after the Chicago Bulls barely beat the Toronto Raptors 116-110. He and others think there are very few things the Bulls have to celebrate lately and they’re ruining even that. “That’s how bad the Bulls are, the best thing going for them is that Ring of Honor.”

Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman both had video messages that were aired at halftime. Only Rodman provided the reason of bad weather preventing his trip to Chicago to explain his absence. Jordan didn’t provide a reason and neither did Scottie Pippen.

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Charles Barkley’s disappointment in Michael Jordan and the Bulls is loud

Barkley was counting on an awkward reunion between Jordan and Pippen. On D-Day, he was betting that MJ would arrive but Pippen wouldn’t. When the ceremony happened, the events left him disappointed which he expressed on Inside the NBA.

Along with disparaging the United Center spectators for the treatment of Thelma Krause, he also added, “Michael, and Scottie, and Dennis not showing up, that was wrong.” He further added, “It was a complete disgrace to the legacy of the Chicago Bulls.” 

Barkley made more comments on the franchise that is far from the glory days of two three-peats currently. His opinion about the team is so low right now, that he roasted TNT for airing the Bulls-Raptors game. Still, he’s contractually obligated to promote it. So he halfheartedly said, “Hey guys, I know we got the Bulls and the Raptors, but watch anyway,” in the TNT promo.

Both teams are having a less-than-impressive run. Apparently, Chuck doesn’t think they deserve the primetime slot either. Do you agree with him?

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