What’s Behind The Michael Jordan-Charles Barkley Beef?

The NBA is full of egomaniacs. Retired players are not exempt.

There’s two sides to every coin, and in the situation that is the beef between “G.O.A.T” and Charles Barkley is much more than what’s been said on the surface.

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First off, let me begin by saying

Michael Jordan

is not the greatest player in NBA history. By far he’s the most accomplished, and it’s debatable if league accomplishments are synonymous with being the most talented, however Jordan has been branded “that guy” for some time. He’s been the most marketable, in a time where the league needed marketability.

Jordan never came close to averaging a triple-double for an entire season like Oscar Robertson. You can argue that the competition wasn’t as talented in Robertson’s time; however, it’s all relative. The talent pool may not have been as fierce, just as the players in Jordan’s day weren’t as athletic as they are now.

That’s not to say The Big O was the greatest either. However, I believe it’s necessary to categorize these claims. Michael was the greatest in his time, just as Oscar was and LeBron James is now. There’s an endless set of variables that can be applied to that debate.

Regardless, the NBA needed a player to carry on the showmanship that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson put on display, and while he was the best in his time (and a few others), Jordan was groomed to be in the NBA spotlight.

Are you still with me? Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the issue at hand.

"“I think Michael was upset by some of the things I said about the Bobcats,” Barkley said in an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Graham Bensinger."

Can you blame Sir Charles? Athletes never forget a tough loss, or being beat by a particular individual. Although he claims to have just been doing his job, Barkley saw his chance to one up Jordan via criticism of what everyone already knew. Although most believe him to be the best player ever, Jordan has been far from the best owner.

Barkley continued:

"“I always love him like a brother, but I’m going do my job, first and foremost. Because I can’t get on TV and be dishonest with people. They know when you’re being dishonest and disingenuous. I’m going do my job, plain and simple.”"

Certainly being a Hall of Fame player and to be one of the top 50 players in NBA history carries weight, but isn’t as heavy as the burden of never winning an NBA championship. For guys like Barkley and Jordan, there’s always that competitive fire that drives them, and as much as Charles might’ve been doing his job, he threw a jab at an old chum who gave him nothing but business on the court year after year.

"“Which, No. 1, they were true. I can’t — you know, I told you earlier, I’m going to be honest and I’m going to be fair. And the Bobcats — first of all, he’s doing a much better job. But a couple years ago… I want say three years ago — when they were vying for the worst record in NBA history, Michael had not done a good job. He took it personally.”"

Barkley’s criticism of Jordan was on point, but let’s face it there’s been worse owners in the league (hello, Clippers).

From Adam Morrison to Kwame Brown and Tyrus Thomas, Jordan has proved being considered the greatest player of all doesn’t automatically give you skill in the front office. It wasn’t a winning situation in Charlotte until Jordan hired Rich Cho, the executive who built the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers rosters.

Back to the original debate, Jordan didn’t do “it” by himself then, and he’s certainly not winning alone now.

In a league where things are spewed outward and thrown against the wall to see if they stick, it seems as if Barkley’s comments have really stuck with Jordan. So much that their “friendship” has been strained. Criticism is unfamiliar territory for Jordan, and despite him not taking it well — truth is he’s probably forgotten the feeling of receiving it.

There’s no revenge to be had from Jordan. If Barkley were to step into a front office position anywhere in the league that would have him perhaps this would be the catalyst for a good executive rivalry. For now it’s just two old guys. One still tormented by missed opportunity, and the other still driven by what made him great.