In the early 1990s, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were arguably the two best players in the NBA, and the two forged a close friendship that endured long after their playing careers ended.
But with Jordan unable to make the Charlotte Hornets winners in his tenure as their owner, Barkley has criticized him for doing a poor job in that capacity, and it has seemingly ended the friendship.
Barkley was interviewed by “60 Minutes,” and he defended his criticism, as he appeared to say it is his job to tell it like it is about anyone while refusing to apologize.
Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were best friends until Barkley criticized Jordan’s management of his NBA team. The friendship ended, and they haven’t spoken in years.
“He’s got my number,” said Barkley, who refuses to be the first to apologize. https://t.co/r7Ggg5tsWI pic.twitter.com/C6CjDQB6uj
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) March 27, 2023
There’s an old saying that a real friend will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, and if any friend will tell someone what they need to hear, it’s Barkley.
Some fans feel Jordan was in the wrong for taking offense to what he perhaps needed to hear about the mismanagement of his team.
Charles wasn’t in the wrong. If MJ didn’t value their friendship enough to even speak to him because his ego was bruised after such relatively mild criticism then oh well.
— Cleaver’s Henchdwarf (@cowgirl_bebop) March 27, 2023
But some also felt Barkley should have initiated communication by giving Jordan a call instead of waiting for Jordan to call him.
Nice piece on Barkley. Come on Michael give him a call. If you were really best friends you can make him pay for making the first move other ways.
— Jim Dudley (@mspfurnace) March 27, 2023
Nonetheless, people on Twitter complimented Barkley for telling it like it really is.
Awesome Interview! Years ago, I thought that Barkley was the biggest “Cry Baby,” and now I know why; His dad & Ms. Gomez! Today, I appreciate his candor and style! I’m not a sports fan, but awesome interview! 🤩❤️🤩❤️🤩❤️
— Sonya Edmonds (@Sonya1nonly) March 27, 2023
Charles…well done on your interview. You are a class act.
Your grandson will be proud of you when he googles you.
Thank you for your insights.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻— bill (@williamhfloyd) March 27, 2023
Whether it was during his Hall of Fame playing career or his equally successful time as an NBA analyst/court jester for TNT, he has made a living by keeping it real and not holding back when expressing his views and opinions.
He faced off against Jordan’s Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals, which was a memorable series, even though the Bulls took a 3-1 series lead and won the first two games on the home court of Barkley’s Phoenix Suns.
Almost every game in that championship series was close, and both superstars played at a very high level.
While Jordan won six world championships and never lost in the NBA Finals, 1993 was Barkley’s only trip to the title round, and he retired without claiming a Larry O’Brien Trophy.
There’s no doubt that while Barkley may have been critical of Jordan, Jordan likely teased Barkley for never winning it all.
