“Because I have zero credibility if I criticize other people in the same boat and not criticize my best friend.” “And he got really offended, and we haven’t spoken.” FILE: Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley (34) laughs at a foul call with Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) in the first half 28 January 1996 at the United Center in Chicago.įor Barkley, who makes a living sharing his unvarnished opinions as an analyst on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” there’s no room for a double standard. “And what I said, I think that he don’t have enough people around him that are gonna tell him, ‘No,'” Barkley said. Jordan is the owner of the NBA team which, at the time, had been struggling to win games. He could have avoided doing so, if only he had listened to the man he’s recently been so eager to criticize.▶ Watch Video: Charles Barkley: The 60 Minutes Interviewīorn just three days apart, basketball legends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan were once the best of friends, but now they haven’t spoken in years.īarkley, who is famous for his opinionated takes, told 60 Minutes correspondent Jon Wertheim that Jordan broke off the friendship over comments Barkley made about the Charlotte Hornets. Still, Pippen had essentially wasted a year of his career. The Rockets traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers, and that Blazers team nearly defeated the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Pip deemed it foolish to waste the last good years of his career on an aging team with no sense of direction. Pippen questioned Barkley’s drive and leadership, insinuating that Chuck only cared about his numbers rather than winning. “I probably should’ve listened to Michael (Jordan) a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn’t show any dedication.” –Scottie Pippen (1999), via ESPN Pippen responded by calling Chuck “fat” and “selfish.” He said he lamented ignoring Jordan’s advice about Barkley’s apparent lack of dedication. He asked to be traded, setting off a war of words between himself and Chuck.īarkley expressed disappointment at Pippen’s desire to leave Houston after just one season, per ESPN, also suggesting he took less money for Scottie to sign with the Rockets in the first place. There never seemed to be much cohesiveness or alignment between Pippen and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich. The Rockets went 31-19 during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

He also questioned Barkley’s drive, something Pippen also did in short order. Despite the off-court dynamic, however, MJ always wanted the chance to compete against Chuck. Jordan and Barkley had a close friendship during their playing days. Pippen might have felt he could develop a working relationship with the Round Mound of Rebound, though it ran contrary to Michael Jordan’s thinking.

They previously shared a sense of respect as opponents in the 1993 NBA Finals. Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley had plenty in common before sharing the floor in Houston.īoth men played in the 19 Olympic Games as members of Team USA. Pippen said he regretted not listening to Jordan as he publicly blasted Chrles Barkley for a perceived lack of work ethic But things fell apart, primarily because of the eroding relationship between Pippen and Barkley. While all three players were on the decline in terms of career trajectory, the sheer star power on Houston’s roster gave the Rockets a strong chance of contending. He found himself in something of a “Big Three” with Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. Pippen signed a five-year, $67.5 million deal in what ended up being a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets.

The sudden crumbling of the mighty Bulls shocked the NBA, including the likes of John Stockton. Meanwhile, Pippen had an opportunity to chart a new course for a different organization after demanding a trade from the Bulls early in the 1997-98 season. That essentially led to MJ deciding to call it a career, as he previously stated he would not play for another head coach. Head coach Phil Jackson retired at the end of the season. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the Chicago Bulls won their sixth championship in 1998, but the sun soon set on the dynasty.

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