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NBA players have often taken dalliances into other sports. However, the most common transition has been the one to golf. Whether it is Charles Barkley or Stephen Curry, many NBA players have taken a swing at the clubs. But there is one man responsible for the now commonplace transition.

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That man is – the reason most NBA trends began – Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Recently, MJ’s trainer on the circuit sat down for an interview and revealed how his friends thought of him as “lucky.”

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“Lucky” label follows Michael Jordan’s golf trainer

Maintaining a friendship with MJ remains a tough endeavor. Owing to his borderline antisocial personality, the uber-popular Jordan remains a mystery to most people. Further, the chances of the friendship evaporating off a singular comment also remain a possibility.

So, for Ed Ibargeun to maintain a friendship with His Airness for this long is a victory in and of itself. What began as a teacher-student relationship quickly blossomed into a friendship that is still going strong. However, the friendship brings along with it a certain level of teasing, as Ed explains.

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Most commonly, from his other friends. Ibarguen revealed how his friends joke with him that he?s the luckiest guy they know. Despite not training him in a while, the mere opportunity to create a friendship with Jordan was enough fuel for his circle.

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However, Ibarguen agrees?there was a lot of luck involved. However, it wasn’t just his luck that took him to the mountaintop. Years of training, of teaching experiences with other instructors, allowed him to be ready for the moment. Nowadays, he uses the example of Jordan as a lesson in preparedness.

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Read More: Berated for Poor Cigar Etiquette, Charles Barkley Once Forgave 77YO NFL Veteran but Not Michael Jordan

Like his mentor, Ed remains prepared for the challenges incoming. As a result, it has allowed him to continue fostering a friendship with a man as fierce as Mike. Fortunately, it is in stark contrast to the 6-time NBA Champion’s failed friendship with Charles Barkley.

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The demise of the Chuck-Jordan duo

The story remains a fixture of NBA lore. Best friends for decades, Sir Charles and Michael saw an unfortunate ending to their friendship. While the duo shared many a hilarious moment together, it was one comment from Barkley that ruined the two.

Due to the Chicago Bulls legend’s horrific tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, the two-time MVP lay out some criticism towards Mike. Unfortunately, Jordan did not take too kindly to his words. Instead, he lashed out with a profanity-laced conversation with the Chuckster leading to the demise of the pair’s friendship.

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Almost a decade later, the two are yet to come into contact with each other. Suffice to say, Barkley did not get “lucky.”

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Written by

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Priyanshu

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Priyanshu is an NBA beat Writer at EssentiallySports, with a healthy command over the technical aspects of the sport. Priyanshu has creatively covered the often entertaining interactions between legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley along with in-depth analysis of the games. He was at the forefront of the 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony, covering each and every aspect of the historic night in Springfield, Massachusetts. Furthermore, his article on Shaq and the UFC garnered close to a million pageviews. Moving away from the world of sports, Priyanshu is also an avid gamer, who can display other-worldly skills on NBA 2K.

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Aayush Kapoor

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