Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA in 2001 was already the most talked-about story in sports. At 38, His Airness was heading to Washington, lacing up his sneakers for the Wizards. His comeback had the whole world watching and apparently, got one of his closest friends thinking.
Charles Barkley, never short of confidence or big ideas, started contemplating a comeback of his own. He thought of helping MJ out in D.C, which wasn’t the worst idea, but could it work? Apparently, Tiger Woods didn’t think so.
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A Barkley comeback was not what the fans and Charles needed
Jordan and Barkley had been close friends for a long time. Eventually, they added Woods to their group as they were all bound by a common love for golf. Of course, Tiger was a different breed, but the two legends did not mind welcoming the golfing superstar into their fold.
Still, Woods’ close friendship with Barkley also meant that he had some candid opinions about a potential CB comeback. And like his basketball buddies, he also wasn’t one to sugarcoat the meaning behind his words.
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“You know, it would have been great for those two best friends to play together,” Woods said in a 2001 interview with “Inside the NBA.” “They’ve always wanted to do it. It’s just that CB couldn’t do it. He couldn’t get there. It wouldn’t be the right decision for him because he would have gotten hurt.”
Well, the truth does hurt sometimes. Woods was just being honest in a way that only a true friend can be. By 2001, Barkley had put on so much weight that it would have been nearly impossible to get in NBA game shape. Factor in the wear and tear accumulated over a 16-year career, and it would have gone south quickly for Sir Charles.
Five months before that “Inside the NBA” episode, Chuck was highly optimistic about the whole comeback thing.
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“He (Jordan) thinks we can still be good,” Barkley said. “I’m very confident. If I can get my weight down, I like my chances. I don’t think we can play at the level we once did. But I think we can still play well. If something this magnificent is happening, I’ve got to think of it seriously. It’s the only thing that would get me out of retirement.”
Chuck initially put his money where his mouth is. He worked out and lost 30 pounds at first, putting him at an even 300 pounds. However, he admitted he had gotten lazy and had stopped burning rubber for three weeks, resulting in a 10-pound gain.
Related: Speedy Claxton shares why every NBA player loves playing in Toronto
Tiger disowned Chuck and MJ
Woods’ assessment of Barkley’s comeback intentions showed how deep their friendship was. Close friends had no problem being honest and would never hold back the truth.
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Still, good times do come to an end, and that’s exactly what happened to their brotherhood. Tiger disowned Chuck and MJ, apparently blaming them as bad influences. They hadn’t talked for nearly 27 years when Woods’ extramarital affairs came to light in late 2009. Barkley claimed he never knew a thing about what was going on in Woods’ life, never mind “influencing” him to cheat.
Whatever eventually became of their friendship, Tiger at least got one right. Barkley never got fit enough to suit up with Jordan in a Wizards jersey. Instead, he continued to be the funny presence on set and became an icon doing what he does best ー providing comic relief simply by being himself.
Related: “We got the Charles Barkley mentality” – The rare night Shaquille O’Neal and Barkley traded wholesome compliments during the 2001 WCF
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.