What will be his role? How frequently will be appear on screen? Will he give us an insane breakdown of plays? Ever since the announcement of Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA was made, it has raised questions along with the hype. NBC announced him as a special contributor to the network’s basketball coverage for the upcoming season. But, Charles Barkley, previously a close friend of MJ, has requested to tone down the expectation a bit, but why?

Even though the role is unclear, the hype is very much clear. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called it must-see TV. “I’m telling you—it’s going to be must-see television, no matter what. ’Cause Michael Jordan speaks, we’re going to listen. But especially if the brother got a cigar in his hand.” SAS clearly feels the addition of MJ will be huge, and yet Chuck has his reservations.

“I have no idea what Michael’s going to do. I don’t think he’s going to do a lot. Well, first of all, I know he’s not, I know he’s not going to do a lot. I was 100% shocked, uh, but I don’t think he’s going to do a lot period.” The notion that His Airness is not doing a daily broadcast is not wrong. After all, the 6x NBA champion prefers to stay away from the limelight. In fact, the last screen presence was during the Last Dance, which was again meticulously edited after the final nod from MJ. Charles Barkley then found that the schedule of the Bulls legend is free since The Grove XXIII is apparently under maintenance.

“He’s probably trying to fix The Grove because you know he made The Grove where you had to be able to hit the ball left or right. He’s probably trying to fix the fairways so people who play a hook can play there.” MJ’s love for golf is very evident; that’s why he built his own exclusive golf club. But did you know Chuck is not the only one who complained about the golf course?

Michael Jordan purposely made a flaw in his $20 million investment

Ever since stepping away from the hardwood, Jordan has spent most of his time on the golf course. So it was a no-brainer that he wanted to create his own. As per reports, Bobby Weed Golf Design built it, and currently it is valued between $15 – $20 million. But Barkley believes this needs changing, since the play style is not conducive to all. ” If you’re a hooker, he push the trees so far over you can’t play your hook. So Michael’s probably at The Groove if it’s closed down, he’s probably trying to make it even more a left or right golf course.”

Even the creator admitted that the course was created keeping in mind that it had to be interactive for Michael Jordan.”You don’t think I’m going to spend this much money and not have a little bit of an advantage do you?” Weed recalled Jordan saying. Even former world No. 1 Rickie Fowler said the same to the Subpar podcast in 2020. “It’s his golf course, so it’s set up very well for him.”

Fowler explained that the golf course is designed so that long hitters hit their drives into narrower fairways and short hitters like MJ drive into much wider sections. But there are no confirmed reports about the renovation of the private club is tucked away on the outskirts of Hobe Sound, Florida. Even if there is none, Charles Barkley still believed MJ would rather spend time on the green than in any studio. Let’s not forget, even Chuck admitted he was fine stepping away from broadcasting because he loves fishing and golfing.