Over his illustrious career, very few names have been able to own an edge over the NBA’s GOAT. Whether it was on the court or off it, he had a ton of rivals. While he went back and forth with a lot of opponents, very few found victory against Michael Jordan. Even though Charles Barkley wasn’t one such individual, he did celebrate a storied friendship with Mike. However, their eventual, and ongoing, rivalry has become almost as famous as their legendary bromance.

Interestingly, years after the demise of their friendship, the Chuckster made some comments that would surely irk the Chicago legend.

Charles Barkley showers praise on MJ’s hated rival

One of the few individuals to achieve the impossible mentioned above, was the Detroit Pistons‘ Isaiah Thomas. However, even with 2 Championships, and one of the best quarters of playoff basketball to his name, Zeke’s legacy has diminished.

One of the major reasons was obviously the emergence of Jordan. But, as Thomas has repeatedly claimed, the situation involved a ton of politics. The primary example he often points to is his exclusion from the 1992 US Dream Team.

While fans today argue about which team was better, the Dream team was a first of its kind. Featuring one of the greatest collections of talent basketball has ever seen, every major NBA star was on it. Whether the aforementioned Jordan and Charles, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, or even David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon, the dream team was overflowing with talent.

However, one notable omission was the Pistons point guard. About 3 years ago, Charles offered his two cents on the subject, showering praise on MJ’s sworn enemy. “I have no idea what happened. Why he was left off the team…They never, never, never asked me. Isaiah probably should have been on the team…He’s the greatest pure point guard ever.” 

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Thankfully, Chuck and Mike’s friendship was well past its expiration date by this point. Otherwise, these comments alone would have put a nail in that coffin.

Michael Jordan verbally abused Chuck due to criticism

The Philadelphia/Phoenix legend’s tenure on TNT has been a riot. Whether hilarity or sound criticism, Barkley hasn’t been the one shy away. But it was his honesty that also resulted in the end of a storied friendship.

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were thick as thieves. In fact, the two were even questioned for tampering in the midst of their Finals matchup. However, one critique from Barkley about Jordan’s tenure as the Charlotte Hornets’ owner, and the two haven’t spoken since. The incident, that saw Charles criticize the people Mike keeps around him caused an angry Jordan to retaliate against the Chuckster.

Chuck explained, “I said, I think that he don’t have enough people around him that are gonna tell him, ‘No.’ He called me, and that’s the last thing I heard was, ‘motherf*****, fu** you! You supposed to be my boy.'” Since then, almost 10 years later, the two are yet to speak to each other.

The Chuckster has reiterated that he doesn’t see the fences mending anytime soon. Charles’ comments about Thomas certainly won’t help in that department.

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But NBA fans can continue to hope. Perhaps, someday, the two icons can finally put their differences aside, and enjoy a game of golf on the turf.