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Charles Barkley Breaks Silence on Beef With “Best Friend” Michael Jordan That Left the GOAT Upset: “It Was Heartbreaking to Lose Michael as a Friend”

Published 08/03/2022, 8:15 AM EDT

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The friendship of Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan is a tale as old as time. Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan started off as competitors on the court, but their off-court relationship blossomed into a friendship. However, their equation seems to have been destroyed as the two have been feuding with each other. Both the Hall of Famers were drafted in the same NBA draft of 1984. Jordan and Barkley initially rivaled each other for the top spot in the 1980s and 90s NBA. 

The exact origin of the feud is still unclear. Michale Jordan has never addressed his beef with Charles Barkley. Jordan is a private person; Barkley, however, is constantly in interviews and podcasts and has discussed the matter on several occasions. He recently told interviewer Clay Travis that Michael Jordan and his relationship is irreparable. Barkley added he was quite heartbroken to lose a best friend in Michael Jordan. 

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It is speculated that Barkley’s criticism of Michael Jordan’s management of his franchise the Charlotte Hornets, ignited the feud. Another possible reason is that Barkley accused Michael Jordan of surrounding himself with individuals that never disagreed with him. Barkley told an interviewer for ESPN that Jordan pays all the expenses for his friends and thus, they would never argue with him. He implied that Jordan is surrounded by a category of friends called ‘Yes-Men’.

All of these reasons are illustrated by Charles Barkley in his interviews, but Jordan’s side is yet to be heard. It is certainly sad to see two legends like Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan, who were once comrades and golf buddies, no longer associate with each other. 

Michael Jordan has left Charles Barkley with a broken heart

Charles Barkley and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan may not be friends anymore, but Barkley is still distraught about it. 

The Phoenix Suns star said, “That was very heartbreaking for me because Michael was my best friend, and he got offended by something I said, and uh, it was heartbreaking. I went from being a guy’s best friend.” 

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Recently, at the NBA 75 ceremony, Jordan ignored Barkley and walked right past him. Charles Oakley, Jordan’s friend, defended Jordan’s actions in an interview.

Oakley said, “He can never get back in Jordan’s inner circle. No matter what he does. He does jumping jack, push-ups, he can’t get back in the family, he out.”

According to Oakley, Charles Barkley crossed a line with Michael Jordan, and there is no going back.

Why are Jordan and Barkley not friends anymore?

Jordan has a fierce personality. Barkley found himself on Jordan’s cold side after his comments about the Charlotte Hornets and Jordan’s friends circle.

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Barkley told Bob Costas on his show ‘Sit down with Bob‘, “I don’t know if Michael’s ever going to be successful as a team owner for the Hornets.” 

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WATCH THIS STORY: 3 Times Stephen Curry lost his cool on the court

What do you think of the fued between Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. 

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Written by:

Shrey Gupta

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Shrey Gupta is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently a third year undergraduate student at Krea University in Andhra Pradesh earning his degree in Economics, while also creating content for ES and gaining his first experience in the field of sports journalism and writing. An avid basketball fan, his current favorites are Stephen Curry and D'Angelo Russell.
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Edited by:

Veer Badani