Michael Jordan may have put his arm around Charles Barkley while posing for a photo recently, but that does not mean His Airness has forgiven his old friend.
The photo, which was taken at the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame ceremony last month, led to speculation that Barkley and Jordan are finally speaking to one another again. Featured in the same photo was Kenny Smith, who later bragged about playing peacemaker between the old Dream Team teammates. Unfortunately, Barkley told “The Dan Le Batard Show” on Tuesday that there was no burying of the hatchet.
“I love Michael. I miss Michael’s friendship. He was a great friend to me for a long period of time and I love him and miss him like a brother,” Barkley said. “I would love to mend that relationship, but we just happened to be at the same place and took a picture together. We are not back to where we used to be.”
Barkley said that was actually the first time he had spoken to Jordan in years.
“I think some people, when you’re their friend, they expect you to have their back no matter what,” he explained. “Part of my job sucks, but I have to criticize people I like or are friends. … He took it personal and got really angry.”
Jordan and Barkley were close when they played in the NBA together, but their relationship soured several years ago when Barkley criticized some of the decisions Jordan had made as owner of the then-Charlotte Bobcats. Barkley opened up about the demise of the friendship in detail a couple of years back.
Barkley is one of the most outspoken guys in sports, and that can rub those close to him the wrong way. The story of why he is no longer friends with Tiger Woods is even more interesting.
