(© Rob Schumacher/The Republic /USA TODAY NETWORK)
NBA legend Charles Barkley recently commented on being guarded by Michael Jordan while making an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show”. While discussing the challenges that came with trying to stop him, Barkley was asked whether Jordan could have guarded him. He responded by saying:
“He is too little. He can’t guard me in the post. He’s too little.”
Barkley admitted that he had made Jordan aware of this as well. He added, “Little man, you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Barkley was asked what the experience was like guarding the Bulls legend. “I can’t guard him,” he said. “It was really funny. One time, we switched out, and I got in my defensive stance, and he just started laughing… He just said, ‘Are you serious right now?’ And he actually passed the ball because he was laughing so hard.”
Charles Barkley’s recollection of his time playing against Michael Jordan was based on the fact that neither of them could guard each other. This attested to Barkley’s statement that “great” players couldn’t be stopped; they could only be made to work harder. Meanwhile, Jordan also acknowledged Barkley’s defensive mindset.
Barkley and Jordan had some historic duels during their playing days. Both players were drafted into the NBA in 1984. Jordan went to the Chicago Bulls as the first-overall pick. Meanwhile, Barkley joined the Philadelphia 76ers as the fifth pick in the draft.
The first time the two players went against each other in the playoffs was in the 1989-90 season, where Jordan and the Bulls steamrolled past the 76ers after a 4-1 win. Barkley averaged 23.8 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for the series. Meanwhile, Jordan led his team to the ECF that year with 43.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
With the dawn of the 90s, Jordan and the Chicago Bulls became virtually invincible as they went on to win three straight titles from 1991-93.
With Philadelphia, Barkley always came up short on his way to the finals as the Bulls became an obstacle in his way. Following the 1991-92 season, the forward took his talents to the Western Conference by joining the Phoenix Suns. This gave the forward a clear opportunity to get to the NBA Finals.
In his first season with the Suns, Barkley would get what he wished for. However, he was going up against Jordan and the Bulls, yet again, in the 1993 NBA Finals.
Barkley had been transcendent all season. After winning the MVP award, he was making a dominant charge in the playoffs as well. In the Finals, he recorded an average of 27.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be enough against Jordan’s Bulls, as they completed a three-peat behind an unreal series by their star, who averaged 41.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.
The two faced off against each other a total of 55 times in their career, 39 games in the regular season and 16 in the playoffs. Jordan enjoyed a winning record of 31 wins to Barkley’s 24.
Barkley eventually retired without facing Jordan in the playoffs again. Meanwhile, Jordan amassed a 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, making him one of the most successful NBA players of all time.
