Michael Jordan implies he did not take Charles Barkley seriously on defense one it and that he laughed at him when he tried to defend.
Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley share a unique friendship that the former does not share with many other players that he’d played against. Jordan was known to be quite closes off and distant from players around the league. Of course, not tot eh extent to which Kobe Bryant took it but it was understood that he wasn’t ready to get ‘buddy-buddy’ with anyone, not even his own teammates.
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However, knowing Charles Barkley’s laid-back and lovable nature, it’s obvious that Michael Jordan would let him into his friends circle. The two did a whole lot together; everything from going to golf together to showing up to get interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on national television. To be fair though, Jordan admitted that he only played golf with Chuck to sniff out any weaknesses.
You couldn’t expect any less from Michael Jordan however as his competitive spirit never wavered, especially when hanging out with someone who he faced thrice in the Playoffs.
Michael Jordan laughed at Charles Barkley’s attempt at trying to defend him.
Charles Barkley’s 76ers would face Michael Jordan and the Bulls twice in the Playoffs, with both resulting in series wins for Jordan’s squad. However, in 1993, the two would square off against one another in the NBA Finals as Chuck had resulted joined the Phoenix Suns out West.
In their bouts against one another, Chuck would sometimes get switched onto the perimeter. With Michael Jordan being a guard, the ‘Round Mound of Rebound’ would at times, have to defend Jordan till the shot clock expired. According to the 6x champ, this made him laugh as he looked to pass the ball the first time it happened.
“We got into a switch and Charles jumps out and guards me. I never known Charles as a defensive stopper. So the first thing he does is he breaks down into this defensive position with his hands up. Everything looks technically right, and I just laughed, and I had to pass it. But that’s the type of guy he was. He would take on a challenge even though he wasn’t up for it. He didn’t care.”
It’s unclear which exact possession he is talking about here but it can be assumed that if Michael Jordan hadn’t passed the ball, he would’ve gotten past Chuck with ease. No disrespect to the former MVP but he was not exactly the most mobile player when moving laterally or back-pedalling.
