‘Lovely’ Charles Barkley refuses to take swipe at Michael Jordan despite former Pistons star’s request

Former best friends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan haven’t spoken in more than a decade. Their friendship was often a topic of conversation back in the ’90s, as they could be seen spending a lot of time together. In fact, it’s obvious from the court just how close they are. However, this angered Chuckster’s former teammate Rick Mahorn.The 65-year-old was a guest on the show Cedric Maxwell Podcast Most recently, he opened up about how Barkley refused to listen to him and punched Jordan on the court.

During the conversation, both Mahon and Cedric Maxwell talked about basketball rivalries in the 1980s. While they alluded to the strong friendship they still share, the pair said their on-court clashes were more intense at the time. When playing, they forget about their friends and focus on the battle. However, Mahon mentioned some players who don’t follow the same rules, including Barkley.

According to Mahon, Barkley didn’t hit Jordan during Chicago Bulls games because they were friends and he respected the six-time champion. “I told Barkley, I said, ‘Okay, next you gotta hit Michael Jordan. ‘ ‘No, that’s my friend“(Barkley’s reply).” Mahon then gave them his reaction to Chuckster’s statement, which divided the hosts.

“Every time Charles didn’t screw him up, we lost. Entered the playoffs twice,” said the former Detroit Pistons star. Mahon then recalled the 1993 NBA Finals when Barkley’s Phoenix Suns faced off against M.J.’s Bulls. Since they were no longer talking, Mahon told Barkley, “You know, you should have hit that mf then… Don’t take these things personally. This is what we do for a living. “I don’t like that kind of buddy relationship.”

Mahon noted that the former Philadelphia 76ers star’s friendly gesture wasn’t helpful because the two haven’t spoken yet. He also mentioned how different the competition that existed in the 1980s was.

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Rick Mahon talks NBA friendships

The NBA in the 1980s produced some exciting rivalries that captivated fans. While each player respects their opponents, they work equally hard to beat them. They don’t use the word “mercy” in court.

Speaking about his playing days, Mahon emphasized: “arriveJust don’t have an interpreter on the court where you’re playing brother-in-law ball, if he comes in I mean you’re not going to hit your friend and then I’m going to hit your friend and then I’m going to hit you in the ass the next day at practice.“.

As highlighted in the podcast, current NBA player dynamics paint a different picture. They showed a smoother transition and developed a strong camaraderie not only off the court but in the game as well. What do you think of Mahorn’s comments about on-court battles in today’s NBA? Let us know below.

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