“I Got a Ego Too… Great at Something, That Doesn’t Give You the Right To Be a Jerk”: Charles Barkley Raises a ‘White Flag’ in His Own Way for “Best Friend” Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley have been on no-speaking terms for over a decade now and it doesn’t seem like their non-existent relationship is gonna get better any time soon. The former best friends fell out hard when Barkley publicly questioned MJ’s executive skills in 2012. The incident put an end to their decades-long friendship and fans are yet to see the day when both sports veterans would let bygones be bygones. However, Chuck recently hinted at where his heart currently is, when asked about his intentions of mending his relationship with Jordan.

Despite never having played on the same team, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley formed a really great bond during their time in the league. While the duo always aimed to crush one another on the court, their off-court dynamics were completely different. In fact, Chuck had previously shared that MJ once whisked him away on his private jet after the former had a bad game.

Charles Barkley is just one phone call away

Over the past decade, Charles Barkley has probably been asked about his strained relationship with Michael Jordan about a hundred times. The Hall of Famer was once again prompted to take a trip down memory lane during a recent interview with Jon Wertheim of CBS’ 60 mins. During the exclusive interview, Barkley indicated that he was open to working out his issues with Michael Jordan.

However, it seems like His Airness would have to take the first step towards the truce. This is not the first time when Chuck has expressed his wish to repair his fractured relationship with MJ. Halfway through the conversation, Chuck justified his decade-old comments on Jordan by saying, “I have zero credibility if I criticize other people in the same boat and not criticize my best friend.”

When Wertheim asked if he has ever considered sorting it out with his former pal, Barkley replied, “I got a ego too, Jon. You can’t be great at something, like, y– that doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk. “

On being asked about his plans of mending the relationship eventually, Barkley simply said, “He got my number.”

READ MORE – Charles Barkley Pays Tribute to One of the GOATs but It’s Not Tom Brady: “The Best to Ever Do It Just Retired”

The comment that broke a close bond

Three years after retiring from the league, Michael Jordan brought minority shares of the Charlotte Hornets (Bobcats). He eventually became the controlling owner of the franchise and made a series of draft decisions that was called out by fans and several analysts including Charles Barkley.

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During an interview on ESPN’s The Waddle & Silvy Show, the Chuckster didn’t hold back while letting his thoughts known on MJ’s tenure as an owner. He said, “I love Michael, but he just has not done a good job. Even though he is one of my great friends, I can’t get on here and tell you he’s done a great job. He has not done a great job, plain and simple.”