Stephen A. Smith reveals if friends-to-enemies Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley will ever bury the hatchet

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley's friendship was the most loved basketball story in the 90's.

Stephen A. Smith reveals if friends-to-enemies Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley will ever bury the hatchet

Best friends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan cannot bury the hatchet about their former friendship, claims Stephen A. Smith

During the 90’s Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan‘s friendship was the talking point in the basketball world. Fast forward to today, and the situation is different. They don’t talk to each other and have quietly gone about their business in their separate ways. Stephen A. Smith, who knows both of them personally, revealed if they would ever bury the hatchet.

Stephen A. Smith was asked this question while on the PBD Podcast.

I don't think so. I think they'll have conversations, I don't think they hate each other. I know Barkley doesn't hate Michael Jordan, cause Barkley doesn't have that in him. Barkley's a really lovable guy, just very candid. But in the case of Michael Jordan, it's a misnomer to think that you can't criticize him, that you can't tell him where you stand. Just don't betray him.
Stephen A. Smith via PBD Podcast

Smith alluded that despite the lack of hatred between the two, there is no chance they could bury the hatchet.

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Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were so close that they spent a lot of time together even after their retirement. But the relationship soured when Barkley called out Jordan’s then Charlotte Hornet‘s franchise for bad draft picks.

Since then, the two have been at odds and stopped talking. As Smith said, they will not talk ill of each other. So that means, unlike how the Chicago Bulls great’s strained relationship is with his former teammate Scottie Pippen, these two will not make matters worse.

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley’s friendship was one for the ages

The cordial relationship between Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley was evident whenever they met against each other on the court. Even while battling against each other, they would talk and share humor amongst themselves. Then there were the off-the-court meetings. Jordan and Barkley famously shared an interview with Oprah Winfrey. Their banter was evidence that they were the best of friends.

But their competitiveness was never in doubt. Jordan was unhappy when his best friend won the MVP in 1993. Jordan returned the favor in their NBA Finals matchup. However, this did not hinder their friendship and they carried on their strong relationship for years. Barkley still has nothing but praise for his all-time basketball friend.

That friendship is long lost as Barkley claimed that they haven’t spoken to each other in years. But who knows? there might be some hope that they could reconcile in the future.

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