Charles Barkley might have improved his golf swing recently, but there was a time when Michael Jordan ripped him a new one for it on live TV.
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Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan are the 2 most famous NBA players from the 80s and the 90s today. Sure, the likes of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen and Isiah Thomas have a decent shout for this title. But these 2 are the de facto most popular NBA players.
That’s the reason why it’s such a pity that the two have fallen out over the years. Jordan took exception when Chuck called out his questionable decision-making as the Charlotte Bobcats owner. The two haven’t seen eye-to-eye since.
Many NBA fans wish the two would call each other and set their minute differences aside. But it seems that the two have gone on with their lives since this spat some years ago. Perhaps it’s for the best for the two that they don’t talk anymore.
Still, as NBA fans, we take pleasure in looking back at some of the best moments that the duo shared in public. Mike’s appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1999 brought us one of those memorable instances.
Michael Jordan couldn’t stop laughing at a horrendous shot by Charles Barkley on Jay Leno’s show
It was the year 1999 and MJ had been officially retired for only a couple of months at the time. The NBA playoffs were on in full swing at the time, but Mike had his interests somewhere else. After all, it was his time to stay away from the spotlight and cool his heels.
And yet, he remained America’s most popular athlete by a country mile. Which was why Jay Leno couldn’t help but call up his friend for an appearance on his show. Jordan obliged, so Leno started the show off by talking first about the Round Mound of Rebound – Charles Barkley.
“This is footage from the Ultimate Golf Course. Charles has hit a shot, and I think he killed somebody – it went into the stands. And you would literally fall down laughing.”
“Oh, I remember that one. You know what he said? It was 103 yards and he hit a sandwich and it went behind everyone, but he said ‘I hit too much club.’ No s***!”
It really did look as if MJ would have a heart attack while laughing at the shot. We didn’t often see such animated expressions from the GOAT, so this was some truly treasured footage for NBA fans.
