“What a Great Friend”: Charles Barkley, Who Later Stole an MVP Award from Michael Jordan, Tried to Anger MJ Only to Get Proven Wrong on National TV

Charles Barkley once tried to infuriate Michael Jordan live on national television. In fact, the former Suns’ star tried to rile the Bulls superstar up by picking Portland Trail Blazers over the Chicago Bulls in a hypothetical Finals setup. Michael Jordan responded to Barkley’s comments by admitting that his Western Conference counterpart is saying these things to drive him mad.

Michael Jordan has displayed through actions over the years that he can be incredibly petty and vindictive when it comes to basketball. In fact, the Bulls legend has admitted that he would utilize insults and jibes to motivate himself before games. In other words, he would channel his anger to fuel his intensely competitive nature and use it to gain an edge over his opponents.

The Netflix docuseries ‘The Last Dance’ aptly portrays this petulant side of Michael Jordan. However, Charles Barkley would make the fatal mistake of intentionally poking the bear.

Charles Barkley tries to rile up Michael Jordan live on air

In 1992, Charles Barkley picked the Portland Trail Blazers over the Chicago Bulls in a potential matchup in an interview on national television. Michael Jordan was told about the clip on live television. And the Bulls sensation responded to Barkley in real-time.

“I know Charles is trying to drive me crazy“, Jordan told the interviewer. “He is trying to make me competitive.”

“And I appreciate that, Charles. What a great friend“, he added.

As it turns out, the Bulls and the Blazers did end up facing each other in the 1992 Finals. Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 6.4 rebounds to lead Chicago to a 4-2 victory in the series. In the process, he bagged his second Finals MVP and a second championship ring.

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It is probably safe to assume that Jordan channeled Barkley’s words to fuel his motivation in the Finals. However, the Barkley Jordan saga was just getting started.

The 1993 NBA Finals

Charles Barkley won the 1993 MVP for leading the Suns to the best record in the NBA. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan lost the MVP race despite averaging about seven more points per game than the Suns’ Star.

As a result, Jordan had to get back at Barkley somehow and reinforce his dominance in the league. The opportunity presented itself in the 1993 NBA Finals. In fact, Jordan’s Bulls decimated Barkley’s Suns in six games to complete their first three-peat.

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Since then, players enacted a much more conservative approach while talking trash to the six-time NBA champion.