?Michael (Jordan) Lied for a 100 Years?: Charles Barkley, Who Hasn?t Talked to MJ in a Decade, Shockingly Sides with Isiah Thomas in 30 YO Controversy

The feud between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan is one of the most intriguing stories in the history of the NBA. The two legends have had an ongoing beef for decades and there is no sign of calling a truce even today. Their feud was further ignited after the celebrated Netflix documentary on the Chicago Bulls and Jordan, The Last Dance was released in 2020. Other than that, there have been several instances where other athletes have sided with either of the legends, which has only added to the ego battle.

Recently, Charles Barkley decided to put forth his opinion on the feud between the two legends. Barkley questioned the legitimacy of Jordan’s words when it comes to the 1992 controversy between them.

Charles Barkley sides with Isiah Thomas in his beef against Michael Jordan

Isiah Thomas is undeniably one of the greatest players of all time. The 2x NBA champion was the leader of the Bad Boys, the nickname that the Detroit Pistons had earned for themselves. The name was much more than a token as the Pistons liked to play rough. This was one of the major reasons why Jordan and Thomas didn’t get along in the NBA. The 6x NBA champion came into the game with the mentality that he was the greatest to ever do it. Additionally, Jordan would also pick fights, sometimes all in his head, with other stars just to pump himself up.

Thomas and Jordan’s feud goes back to the very beginning of the Bulls’ path to glory in the game of basketball. However, the biggest moment in their feud was when Thomas was excluded from the 1992 Olympics Dream Team. Much was said at the time and even later about the infamous exclusion.

While Jordan maintained a distance from the topic, Thomas was vocal about his feelings over the exclusion and Jordan’s alleged role in that. Barkley talked about the same during an appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. Chuck said, “They never ask…me personally about Isiah and then Michael, I guess had lied for a 100 years.” Barkley was referring to Jordan’s denial of having any role in Thomas’s exclusion from the Dream Team.

The 2020 documentary, The Last Dance ended up putting all speculations to rest as it showed MJ stating his feelings about Thomas being in the team.

Read More: Having Taught Michael Jordan ?A Lesson? in His First All-Star Game, His Rival Isiah Thomas Probably Regretted it Just Two Days Later

“They got Michael on tape saying he wouldn’t play if Isiah is on the team,” Barkley continued on the topic. He added that MJ did not want Isiah Thomas on the team and that was the only reason he wasn’t included. Whatever the case might be, their feud fuelled the two legends to give their all on the hardwood, which was beneficial for the game.

Incidentally, Barkley also fell out of favor with Jordan after criticizing his management of the Charlotte Hornets. As a result, the two former friends haven’t talked in a decade.

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