After 20 Years of Friendship and 10 Years of Animosity, Charles Barkley Admits 2 Big Reasons Behind Prolonged Feud With Michael Jordan

The NBA has gone through generations of legendary players playing the sport of basketball. However, it is rare to see greats be friends. Especially with someone like Michael Jordan, who was a competitor on all levels. But he and Charles Barkley shared a special relationship for over 2 decades. But due to one mistake, it all came falling down. While speaking to Draymond Green on his podcast, Barkley addressed the situation.

After competing in the NBA for a long time, Barkley and Jordan developed a friendship. They were really close friends for 20 years. Both of them shared a love for gold and would often even play together. However, as a television personality, Barkley has to answer questions. And in 2012, he hurt Michael Jordan with some comments on his tenure as a GM or the Washington Wizards. This caused their friendship to break down.

While speaking to Draymond Green, Barkley mentioned the two main reasons for their fallout.

Charles Barkley digs into relationship with Michael Jordan

While on Green’s podcast, Barkley spoke about his relationship with Michael Jordan. After two decades of friendship, the two lost their brotherhood after Barkley made some public comments about Jordan’s management.

In 2012, he made a comment saying he won’t be a good general manager if he doesn’t stop hiring people-pleasers around him. Jordan took serious offense, and their relationship was never the same after that. Barkley blamed it all on ego and stubbornness.

He said: “People get stubborn and you factor in the way we are in television and the internet today. Like, well, I’m not going to make the first move, you are not going to make the first move. You got to understand, there’s people around both of us who are probably fanning the flames. It really comes down to silliness, to be honest with you. Because we all need each other to be successful. And it’s just about ego and stubbornness, that’s all it is.”

While the two no longer share the same bond, Barkley has admitted that he misses Jordan very much. In an interview, Barkley spoke about how their falling out was unfortunate. He believes he said nothing wrong and was trying to help Jordan. He believed MJ was hiring his friends and people pleasers around.

Hence, he didn’t believe Jordan would be successful because he isn’t hiring honest people, but is rather going for people whose only motive was to be on a payroll.

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While Jordan had a reason to be angry, Barkley did, too. He revealed what made him furious was the fact that legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson also agreed with his point. Barkley doesn’t believe they will ever be friends again, but he still regards his once brother as the greatest basketball player of all time.