Few gamers in NBA historical past carried the mystique that Michael Jordan possessed.
At the same time as followers debate LeBron James’ greatness, that Jordan aura stays untouchable.
However as soon as upon a time, there was a participant who believed he was higher than Jordan earlier than their Finals showdown.
That participant was Charles Barkley. In a current look on Dan Patrick’s podcast, the Phoenix Suns legend appeared again on his enjoying days with refreshing honesty.
He admitted that finally, there got here a second of readability when he realized Jordan was the superior participant.
“My daughter was upset, crying, we misplaced the primary two video games. I stated, ‘Hey, simply chill out we’re going to be high-quality, however I obtained to inform you one thing. I ain’t by no means stated this in my life however I feel that man is likely to be higher at basketball than I’m,’” Barkley stated initially, later including, “I believed Michael Jordan was a greater participant than me. That’s the one participant I ever performed towards I believed was higher than me.”
“I believed Michael Jordan was a greater participant than me. That is the one participant I ever performed towards I believed was higher than me.”
– Charles Barkley on Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/VLIlkr8lG8
— Dan Patrick Present (@dpshow) July 11, 2025
Earlier than the 1992–93 season even tipped off, Barkley had his sights set on assembly the Chicago Bulls within the Finals.
After touchdown in Phoenix, he carried a large chip on his shoulder, satisfied he was the perfect participant within the league.
Chuck Daly had disagreed, pointing to Jordan as the highest canine. Barkley made it private. When June rolled round, simply as he’d envisioned, it was Phoenix versus Chicago for the title.
Barkley, recent off an MVP season, led a Phoenix Suns squad that had outpaced the Bulls within the common season by 5 wins.
However all that swagger took a success as soon as the sequence started. Shedding the primary two video games at residence rattled Phoenix, and with it, Barkley’s confidence.
The Suns battled again to push it to 6 video games, however Jordan and the Bulls accomplished the three-peat. That actuality verify humbled one of many league’s most assured stars.
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