"Just because me & Michael were great friends, I don't give him a hall pass" - Charles Barkley on his relationship with Michael Jordan
Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have a long and storied friendship. During the 1984 Olympic trials, when both men were in college, Barkley reported to his coach that there was a superhuman player at the University of North Carolina.
Fast forward to when both men were playing in the NBA, they developed a pretty good friendship. In addition to competing alongside one another in the Olympics, they would frequently hang out and golf together.
As one story goes, one time when they were golfing in Arizona, Jordan accidentally hit a golf ball through someone's window. When he went to apologize, the Phoenix resident said they would call things even if Jordan could get Barkley's autograph.
Despite all the fun the pair had together, they had a bitter falling out as a result of Barkley's comments. When Jordan was struggling as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, The Chuckster couldn't hold back his criticism, and as a result, the pair no longer speak.
During an interview on The Dan Patrick Show this week, Barkley opened up about their friendship and falling out.
"No. You know what's so funny. I've never had more people ask me about ... They act like we Prince William and Prince Harry. I love Michael like a brother. He's doing great. I'm doing great. He got mad at me. It's no big deal. It's unfortunate, but, Dan, I wish him nothing but the best. I hope he's doing great, but, hey, it's unfortunate.
"One of the reasons I've been very good at my job. Just because me and Michael were great friends, I don't give him a hall pass. The one thing I've been straightforward and honest on anybody I've given my opinion with in my 23 years, I never played favorites. ... I've been fair to everybody."
You can see his comments above beginning at the 2:48 mark.
Charles Barkley recalls seeing MJ at the Olympic Trials in 1984
Long before the two were friends and rivals on the court, Charles Barkley got his first glimpse of Jordan at the Olympic Trials. With Jordan at the University of North Carolina and Barkley at Auburn, the two hadn't had a chance to scout one another.
After the Olympic trials, however, Barkley's coach asked who the best player he saw was. Without hesitation, Barkley recalled seeing Jordan do things nobody else could.
"I said, 'Dude, there's this black dude from North Carolina.' I said, 'Coach, I ain't never seen anything like it in my life.' I says, 'He's a little taller than me. He's about 6-6. He can outrun everybody. He can outjump everybody.' I says, 'It's one of the most amazing things."
Currently, the pair remain on bad terms, however, Barkley has been open about wanting to reconcile with his longtime friend. With the pair's falling out ranking as one of Barkley's biggest regrets, he hopes they can put things behind them.
Despite that, don't expect Charles Barkley to start holding his tongue.
(Suggested Reading: When Michael Jordan fooled Charles Barkley)