Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley formed an epic pair in NBA, even though they belonged to different teams. The two would be seen sipping beers together, playing golf, or having each other’s back, like brothers in arms. However, Magic Johnson’s rather sarcastic and hypocritical comment on their camaraderie would become one of the main reasons this friendship would see an epic fallout. But also because Charles wanted to “try something different” in his rivalry with Jordan.
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During the NBA Finals of 1993, Johnson was critical of the bond between Barkley and Jordan, frequently mentioning during his commentary in the finals that the pair were “too friendly” towards each other. He also mentioned how the Suns’ team was eating at one of Michael Jordan’s owned restaurants in Chicago ahead of the games, and Barkley would never intentionally foul Jordan.
The Suns were defeated in six games by the Chicago Bulls and completed their first three-peat. The comments and statements made by Johnson are seen as hypocritical and contradicting, given he had a similar, or perhaps a much closer bond with Detroit Piston’s Isiah Thomas during the 1988 and ’89 Finals. The pair were seen showing affection before the finals games.
“I thought I’d try something different”: Magic Johnson’s comment seeded Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley’s fallout
The Sports Illustrated journalist Jackie Macmullan reports how Magic Johnson, who was commentating on the Finals series between Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns, may have sown the seeds for their fallout in the years to come. The Suns went up two games to the Bulls’ three with their Game 5 win. Charles, determined to grab his first title win, was ruminating on skipping his golf, dinner, and cards routine with Jordan. Reasoning this, he says,
“We were one down one game. I thought I’d try something different.”
Jordan, keeping up with their friendly tradition of having dinner and golf before the games, invited Barkley for another game. Despite the excruciating loss the Suns recently faced, Barkley received Jordan’s call, him saying,
“Charles. We’ll be friends long after we’ve stopped playing basketball. Have your clubs ready.”
The two indulged in the game and Jordan’s team went on to win the series in six games. As the Bulls celebrated their three-peat in the locker room, there was no Michael Jordan to hug a despaired Barkley’s loss in this crucial series. Michael’s father, James Jordan, hugged Barkley and tried lifting his spirits with warm words of encouragement.
“I want you to win a championship so badly. I know my son is in the other locker room, but I was rooting for you, too. You deserve to have your own ring,”
Senior Jordan’s words to a dejected Barkley were helpful. Charles replied, “Well then, how about I see you here (at) the same time next year?”.
Charles Barkley’s first defeat against Jordan in the 1993 Finals left a lot of resentment in their friendship
It is obvious that many things went downhill in Barkley and Jordan’s friendship, and most certainly so in Sir Charles’ career. Barkley had high hopes and bright aspirations for winning at least one championship in his 16 years playing in the NBA. However, it would be safe to assume the 1993 Finals left a dent and resentment in Barkley. And it was directed toward Jordan.
Rightfully so, Barkley never achieved the heights Jordan had seen in his NBA career. While statistically, he out-rebounded Jordan with stats of 11.7 RPG to that of Jordan’s 6.2 RPG are great. But Barkley could never match up to Jordan’s 30.1 PPG and 5.3 APG, with his career stats of just 22.1 PPG and 3.9 APG.
What’s more, Jordan won 6 championships. To Barkley’s rather dull 0-1 record. Perhaps, Barkley’s comments on Jordan’s handling of the Washington Wizards might have been the last nail to their friendship’s coffin.
However, Barkley, a much-opinionated person within the NBA circles, has no regrets about his comments on Jordan, resulting in the pair not speaking in over a decade. When asked about the same, Barkley replies, “I was being honest about what I thought.”
