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[Saba Sports News] Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were once the best of friends, spending much of the 1990s together.
One of their favorite activities was gambling and playing cards, and according to comedian Cedric The Entertainer, they were true high rollers. Speaking on the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast, Cedric recounted their jaw-dropping wagers, sometimes reaching $300,000 per hand.
“They gambled on another level, man,” Cedric shared. “I was gambling with Barkley at the roulette table… He’s going hard. Barkley and MJ, they do their thing. He’s got $300K on the table, and I’ve got $1000. MJ walks in, grabs a stack of Barkley’s chips—maybe $150K. Barkley says, ‘Hey man, what did you get?’ MJ replies, ‘Does it matter? You know I got you, whatever it is. I just didn’t want to get chips.’ They were on another level. I tried to join their game with my $100 chips and they were like, ‘Nah, you don’t need to be in on this.’”
Jordan’s love for gambling is well-documented. In fact, his gambling habits were once so notorious that rumors circulated about a connection between his 1993 retirement and gambling debts, though these claims were never substantiated.
Barkley, a frequent companion of Jordan, often joined him in these high-stakes adventures. The two were inseparable during their peak years, sharing many memorable moments both on and off the court. However, their relationship eventually soured, and they are no longer close friends.
Despite the fallout, Barkley has maintained his respect for Jordan. He recently dismissed arguments for LeBron James as the GOAT, firmly stating that Jordan remains the greatest of all time.
Barkley has continued his career as a prominent NBA analyst, while Jordan stays out of the spotlight, focusing on his private business ventures. Recently, Jordan made headlines for purchasing a $70 million private jet, a testament to his incredible wealth.
Fans can only hope that Jordan and Barkley will one day reconcile. Their estranged friendship is a sad chapter for two legends of the game who once shared such a close bond. Seeing them mend their relationship would surely bring joy to NBA fans and serve as a reminder of their historic partnership, both on and off the court.