Why is Michael Jordan the GOAT? Charles Barkley once explained former Bulls legend's greatness as the best ever

Charles Barkley once explained briefly why is Michael Jordan the GOAT according to him in an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show two years ago.

Dan Patrick asked Barkley who his GOAT was and answered, "His Airness." The former MVP pointed out Jordan's perseverance to beat the "Bad Boys" Pistons. He believes that as much as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have made the debate interesting, MJ is still the greatest.

"What makes him the greatest is what he did to get past the Pistons," Barkley said. "No disrespect to Kobe. Kobe is the closest to Michael. No disrespect to LeBron, who is an amazing man and amazing player.

"To get beat down like that and come back that reminded me why this dude is the greatest basketball player ever. That's what makes him the GOAT."

Charles Barkley also discussed the Detroit Pistons not shaking hands with the Chicago Bulls after getting swept in the 1991 Eastern Conference finals. Barkley thinks that Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer and the rest of the Pistons were wrong not to show respect to Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

Barkley went further and explained that Jordan shook hands with the Pistons despite losing to them in brutal fashion the previous three seasons. Due to the incident, Thomas and Jordan have had an on-going feud for around three decades.

"They were wrong," Barkley said. "They should've shook their hands. What amazing is even after they beat the hell out of Michael, he shook their hands. I'm not sure if guys beat me to a pulp three years in a row I would shake their hands.

"Michael went up to them, shook their hands and said congratulations. The Pistons were wrong."

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Charles Barkley remains unapologetic for his comments on Michael Jordan

Charles Barkley used to be really good friends with Michael Jordan until he criticized his ownership of the Charlotte Hornets almost a decade ago. Barkley remains stubborn and won't apologize to Jordan for being honest.

In an appearance on the "Let's Go!"podcast with Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray earlier this year, Barkley discussed his friendship with MJ. He explained that Jordan surrounded himself with the wrong people and was just doing his job as an analyst.

"Michael Jordan, losing his friendship was probably the most prominent thing that's happened to me," Barkley said. "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."

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