Charles Barkley has detailed the conversation that led to his reconciliation with Michael Jordan, ending a friendship rift that spanned over 15 years. The two NBA icons had not spoken for nearly 15 years following Barkley's public criticisms of Jordan's tenure as owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. The breakthrough occurred in April when mutual friend Vince Coleman facilitated a phone call between them.
Barkley shared on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” that the conversation began lightheartedly. "What's up motherf
ker?" Barkley recalled asking Jordan. Jordan reportedly responded in kind, and the two were able to talk and make plans to play golf together.
"We were great friends, brothers for a long time, and both of us [were] being selfish and stupid," Barkley stated on the podcast, adding that both men acknowledged missing their friendship. While Jordan is currently out of the country, they plan to golf together upon his return.
Coleman reportedly played a key role in initiating the reconciliation. Barkley recounted that Coleman, while at Jordan's golf course, insisted they talk. "Yo, I'm down here at [Jordan's golf course] The Grove,'" Barkley recalled Coleman saying. "'I'm sick of you and MJ's BS. He's right here. Y'all need to talk.'"
The estrangement began in 2012 when Barkley publicly questioned Jordan's management of the Bobcats, who were later renamed the Hornets and were sold by Jordan in 2023. Barkley's criticism at the time focused on Jordan's alleged inability to surround himself with advisors who would challenge him. "I think the biggest problem has been I don’t know if he has hired enough people around him who he will listen to," Barkley said then. "One thing about being famous is the people around you, you pay all their bills, so they very rarely disagree with you because they want you to pick up the check."
Now, Barkley expressed his eagerness to resume their friendship and friendly competition on the golf course. "I'm really looking forward to putting my game up against him," he said.