Charles Barkley Once Got Blunt with “Brother” Michael Jordan and Regretted it Years Later: “I Always Love Him.. I’m Gonna Do My Job First and Foremost”

Almost every NBA fan is aware of the decade-old rift between Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. The two Hall of Famers were the best of friends in the NBA world until they broke up in 2012. The rift arose between the duo when Barkley criticized Jordan on television. However, years after the rift, Barkley put forward his stance on the rift in an interview. Notably, the duo hasn’t spoken to each other for a decade since the rift.

Charles Barkley grew into a popular NBA analyst post his retirement. Reportedly, he had signed a massive contract with ‘NBA on TNT’. Chuck engages in game analysis, podcasts, and interviews with the broadcast company.

Chuck stands by his criticism of Michael Jordan

In an episode of ‘In Depth With Graham Bensinger’, Charles Barkley opened up about the rift. In 2012, Michael Jordan got upset with Chuck when he criticized MJ for his management of the Charlotte Hornets on television. Notably, MJ bought the Hornets in 2010 to become the first former NBA player to have a major share in a franchise.

When Graham Bensinger, the host asked Chuck the reason behind the rift, Chuck admitted that his statement about the Hornets made MJ upset. He further reiterated that MJ hadn’t done a good job with the Bob Cats. However, after that, he said, “He took it personally, I always love him like a brother but I’m gonna do my job, first and foremost.”

Read More – A Broken NBA Friendship- Behind Michael Jordan & Charles Barkley’s Decade Long Feud

Chuck further said about his integrity with the media business that he has been involved with after his NBA career. He continued, “I can’t get on tv and be dishonest with people, they know when you’re being dishonest and disingenuous.” However, Chuck later regretted breaking his ties with Michael Jordan. In a podcast conversation with NFL legend Tom Brady in November 2022, Chuck regretted the comments he made on Air Jordan and explained its impact on him. He said, “Michael Jordan, losing his friendship was probably the most prominent thing that’s happened to me.” Even though Chuck regrets his comments to his friends, he hasn’t tried to talk to him yet.

Michael Jordan’s response to Chuck

Though MJ hasn’t directly responded to this issue in the media, his advocate Stephen Smith did. In the docuseries ‘The Last Dance‘, Smith said, “Barkley should have called Jordan, that’s what it comes down to.” Charles Barkley has spoken about the rift several times in the media. However, the duo is yet to make peace with each other.

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MJ and Chuck used to be the best buddies in the 80s and 90s until their fallout in 2012. When do you think these legends will patch up?

Let us know in the comments.