Charles Oakley On How He Became Friends With Michael Jordan: “He Was All About Business…Showing Them I Wanted to Be There”

Michael Jordan was one of the most competitive players in the NBA. The Hall of Famer wanted only one thing, and that was to win. Hence, he did not have many friends in the league. He treated his teammates in a hostile manner to get the best out of them. However, with Charles Oakley, things were different. He recently spoke about his friendship journey with Michael.

Oakley said at first things were all about the game and how, with time, they got closer to one another.

Oakley and Jordan are really great friends even to this say. While the two did not win a championship together, Oakley played a big part in Jordan’s career. He was a great role player on the Bulls and helped Jordan develop into the player he became. Now, with his book coming out, Oakley spoke about the journey with his good friend.

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Oakley opens up on his friendship with Michael Jordan

While speaking to Draymond Green on his show, Oakley spoke about how he and Jordan went from teammates to best friends. In the time they spent with the Bulls, they developed a brotherhood. But just like any other player Jordan sees, it all started off as business. But Oakley said with training camp and time, they just grew into being really good friends.

He said, “He was always about business and I was there doing my craft, working on my game, and showing them I wanted to be there. Sometimes when training camp started, we just seem to get closer and closer. Next thing you know, we started just hanging hanging. He took me to All-Star Dallas, took me on his wings and we’ve been tight ever since.”

Oakley and Jordan became such good friends that Jordan was really upset when they traded him for Bill Cartwright. Oakley went on to join the Knicks, and the two became rivals after that. They even battled against one another in the playoffs where Michael Jordan and the Bulls won four straight games after going down 2-0.

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However, no matter what, the two are still best friends and as close as they were when they played. Have you read Oakley’s new book, ‘The Last Enforcer: Outrageous Stories From the Life and Times of One of the NBA’s Fiercest Competitors’? Let us know in the comments below.