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Charles Barkley remains stubborn and unapologetic for his comments on Michael Jordan's tenure as an NBA owner. The remarks Barkley made about a decade ago ended their friendship, with the pair not on speaking terms since then.
On the "Let's Go!" podcast with Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray, Barkley discussed his friendship with MJ. "Sir Charles" explained that they were once the best of friends till Barkley became honest about Jordan surrounding himself with the wrong people.
"Michael Jordan, losing his friendship was probably the most prominent thing that’s happened to me. But I was being honest about what I thought. I said, 'Listen, the toughest thing about Michael, he's got to put better people around him.' Because the toughest thing, when you're famous, they're on your private jet, you're buying all the drinks, you're buying all the dinners. Very few people are gonna be honest with you."
Barkley alluded to an interview he did in 2012 when he appeared on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN. He was critical of Jordan's tenure as the majority owner of the then-Charlotte Bobcats. They had a 4-29 record at the time, as per the New York Post.
Jordan took Barkley's comments personally, and they have not been friends since then. The pair were in attendance for the NBA 75th Anniversary ceremony earlier this year, but Jordan appeared to ignore his former friend.
Will Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan be friends again?
In an interview with Shaun Powell for NBA.com, Charles Barkley opened up about his broken friendship with Michael Jordan. Barkley said that he still has Jordan's number on his phone, but he will not make the first move to apologize for his remarks.
The former MVP added that he's not expecting Jordan to do call him to mend their relationship. Barkley explained that they are both stubborn to make the first move. Nevertheless, he acknowledged missing Jordan's companionship and still considers the Chicago Bulls legend his brother.
"We're both stubborn. Look, I love the dude like a brother and wish him nothing but the best. I got no animosity toward him. I miss his friendship," Barkley said.
Meanwhile, Charles Oakley confirmed that Barkley is no longer in Jordan's inner circle.
Oakley, who is a longtime friend of Jordan, told the "Forgotten KingzTv 2.0" podcast earlier this year that there's no chance for Barkley and Jordan to become friends again.
"He can never get back in," Oakley said. "No matter what he do. He do jumping jack, push-ups, he can't get back in the family, he out. He crossed the line; he crossed three lines, and he got a ticket for every line he crossed. He found some new friends. I guess on TNT and subway and safeway."
Guess the Lakers players!
