Barkley and Jordan Reconnect Thanks to Coleman

During a recent radio segment on a sports talk show in Chicago, Sir Charles mentioned that a former Metropolitan colonel facilitated a reconciliation between Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. It turns out that Vince Coleman, who played for Queen’s from 1991 to 1993, unexpectedly called Barkley while he was with Jordan and managed to bring the two together over the phone for a much-needed truce.

Interestingly, Barkley shared this story on ESPN Chicago’s “Waddle & Sylvie,” where he also critiqued Jordan’s management of the Charlotte Bobcats back when they were both more at odds. It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it?

Barkley, referring to the conversation he had with Coleman, said, “Last week, I was just at home chilling, and Vince, being one of my best friends, called. We have this funny habit of jokingly saying unkind things when we answer each other’s calls. He told me, ‘I’m at The Grove and I’m tired of you and MJ’s BS. He’s right here; we all want to talk.’ So, we did. Vince was the mediator there, and after a few minutes, MJ suggested we all play golf together.”

He seemed genuinely excited, adding, “I’m definitely going to find some time soon to fly out there and hit the greens with them.”

There was a notable falling out in their friendship back in 2012 when Barkley remarked on air, “I love Jordan, but he’s not doing a good job,” while discussing the NBA star’s issues with the Bobcats. Yet, just this past Friday, Barkley mentioned on Chris Russo’s Mad Dog Unleashed show that he and Jordan had spoken and were planning golfing outings after the NBA season wraps up.

“We’ll be fine,” he reassured listeners. “Honestly, it’s like the situation with Prince Harry and Prince William; it’s not that we hate each other. The truth is, I think we’ve both missed each other. We had conversations like this with other friends but were just too stubborn to pick up the phone. We’ve definitely missed each other a lot.”