In tonight’s Unguarded with Rachel Nichols on CNN, NBA legend and current television pundit Charles Barkley talked about the less than ideal relationship he currently has with Michael Jordan, and a few more topics as well. In this interview, Charles Barkley also opened up up about all the money he lost gambling, took some more shots at Miami Heat “fans” and much more.
It’s even better than the time he totally ripped the L.A. Clippers.
On the wedge between himself and Michael Jordan:
Charles Barkley: You know, Michael is somebody I really like as a person, and for some reason we just hit it off. It’s frustrating for me right now because we’re not where we used to be. You know, I think he took some things I said about the Bobcats personally, and it’s put a wedge between our friendship, and that’s been disheartening for me — very disheartening. ‘Cause one minute we’re close and now – it’s strained.
Rachel Nichols: What do you think it is about Michael? How come he can’t figure this out?
Charles Barkley: Well, might as well burn down a whole house, you– started the fire now. Burn down the kitchen and the bedroom. Well, Michael has not surrounded himself with enough good people who will disagree with him. That’s the biggest problem he’s had. To be successful, you have to surround yourself with people who you respect, saying, “No, that’s not a good pick. That’s not a good draft pick. That’s not a good trade.” That’s what you have to do.
Very interesting revelation there. The round mound of rebound seems to believe that the reason MJ, the greatest NBA player of all team, has been such a massive failure as an Owner is due to his lack of constructive criticism and legitimate feedback. Jordan has surrounded himself with Waylon Smithers type yesmen it seems. And who knew the friendship between Charles Barkley and His Airness had deteriorated so badly?
I do love the “in for a penny, in for a pound” approach here by Charles Barkley. Hey, go big or go home, right?
And I’m beginning to think the Chuckster was right when he said the Pacers are better than the Miami Heat
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) and RSS Catch him Tuesdays talking Illini and Northwestern for KOZN 1620 The Zone, Fridays talking Chicago Bears for WAOR 95.7 The Fan