John Salley reveals Charles Oakley punched him for jokingly saying Kobe Bryant was better than Michael Jordan: "We were at the Kentucky Derby so Dave Chapelle walks up with Chris Tucker"

Michael Jordan’s off-court life is one of the basketball world’s most fascinating, if not intriguing. Stories have come out over the years about how “His Airness” sometimes spends time with his close friends and former NBA players.

John Salley, who became a close friend of MJ, narrated a story on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast about a time he spent with the six-time champ:

“We were at the Kentucky Derby, so Dave Chapelle walks up with Chris Tucker and he [Tucker] goes, ‘He’s [Salley] your man. Michael, right here, right here. One time, Michael or Kobe, which one?’

“And I looked at Michael, and [Charles] Oakley’s over here [right side], I don’t even see him put his glass down.

“It’s all black people inside the booth. I said, ‘Money [Jordan], at 27, young fella would give you the business.’ And Oakley came out of nowhere and knocked all air out of me. … You ever get punched and don’t see the punch coming? He hit me so hard, man.

“And Michael was like, ‘You know Sal crazy, he just messing with everybody.’ I was trying to act like I was laughing, trying to find air. I was like, ‘Give me air!’ I’m glad there was no women understanding what we’re saying, just looked like boys playing.”

Unc x John Salley = Episode 59 👀

🎧: sprtspod.fox/Ep.59 https://t.co/a6YEVSosDq

Michael Jordan was three years into his retirement and was done with basketball for good when the incident happened. Kobe Bryant, during that time, had put up MVP-like numbers and led the NBA in scoring with 35.4 points per game.

John Salley’s hilarious take obviously didn’t sit well with Charles Oakley, Jordan’s former teammate, who has admitted to being Jordan’s enforcer over the years. While “His Airness” has gotten along with both, there was no love lost between Salley and Oakley.

At the height of the rivalry between the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls, Salley was a part of the Pistons’ “Bad Boys.” Oakley, on the other hand, served as Michael Jordan’s protector, a popular belief that was later dismissed by Isiah Thomas.

Oakley played with Michael Jordan for only three seasons before he was traded to the New York Knicks for Bill Cartwright. Apparently, there was still a little animosity between the former Piston and “Oak,” which meant the latter wouldn’t let Salley’s comments slide.

John Salley picks Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in his top five teammates of all time

John Salley had the opportunity to play with some of the best players in NBA history. When asked by Shannon Sharpe about his top five players composed of former teammates, Salley had a mouthwatering lineup.

He named Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Rodman, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. They represented three of the five teams he played for in his NBA career. He chose no less than the best from the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers.

Salley, as he is known to do, had a hilarious conviction of what this lineup’s record would be:

“Their record would be seven people punched in the face.”

.@thejohnsalley says 7 people would’ve been punched in the face on this team 🤣

@ClubShayShay https://t.co/zsBcN29xaB

The dustup between Charles Oakley and Salley may not even compare to what will happen among the players he named. To this day, the feud between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan hasn't simmered down a bit.

The four-time champ played with the cream of the crop in the NBA and has stories to regale basketball fans with.