Bulls vs Rockets. Jordan 45pts Barkley 35 (Thrash talk game)

January 18, 1998
"Charles is not Charles with his mouth shut. That's like me playing....with hair." -- Jordan.
Rockets were playing without the injured Hakeem and Drexler. Pippen was playing only his 5th game after returning from his long injury. The stage was set for two old friends and they didn't disappoint.
They were both 35 years old but their competitive fire was still young. Besides the great performances, there was lots of thrash talking, fun and mutual respect for one another. The only thing missing were the cracked asphalt and chain nets.
Enjoy.
Post game notes & quotes:
=====================
CHICAGO -- They yapped, jawed and traded barbs. They crashed to the floor together after one under-the-basket collision. And after a timeout, they exchanged a lighthearted head butt.
It wasn't the playground, just two highly paid NBA stars and two good friends, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, going at one another on national TV on a Sunday afternoon at Chicago. Maybe for one of the last times.
"There was a lot of trash talking today, most done by me and Charles. It just adds to the game," Jordan said after scoring 45 points and leading the Chicago Bulls past Barkley and the Houston Rockets, 106-100.
"Charles is not Charles with his mouth shut," Jordan said. "That's like me playing with hair."
"You may see us jawing at each other every now and then. I think the fans get an understanding of the competitiveness between us and it's not done in a nasty way. It's done with a lot of smiling," Jordan added.
"We're trying to jockey for the referees' preference."
Barkley, like Jordan, did more than run his mouth. He scored 35 points - 19 over his average - and had 14 rebounds but still the Rockets lost for the 10th time in 14 games.
"It was old-time trash-talking," Barkley said. "These kids today think trash-talking means getting real personal and challenging your manhood. They're missing the point. It's just about trying to get to the other guy a little bit, having fun.
"This was like it used to be when (Larry) Bird and Magic (Johnson) went at it. Or when Isiah (Thomas) was doing his thing with the Pistons.
"I went by him once and told him, `You're an old man.' He's two days older than me.
"He told me, `You got no chance today, and you never will.' It was all stuff like that."
"We are tight, very tight. That was just us playing around," Barkley added. "Michael is like a brother to me. We have a great relationship, but we also love competing like cats and dogs when we play each other. He wants it badly, I want it badly. He likes to beat me, I like to beat him. I hate (bleeping) losing, I can tell you that. But our friendship is bigger than basketball and any one game, believe me. "
"Me and Michael will carry on as friends forever. He's done so much for me, and I feel I've done some things to help him along the way. After we're done playing this game, we'll be golfing until the day we die."
"Every time we have the opportunity to compete, we realize it may be the last," said Jordan.
"We're friends, but I don't feel sorry for him. One of us has to lose and I'd rather it be him."
It's the law of the playground. No breaks, no sympathy. Especially for your brother.
The Rockets played without injured stars Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler and then lost guard Mario Elie with 6:54 left in the first half when he strained his left shoulder after colliding under the basket with Scottie Pippen.
But every time it looked like the Bulls would run away, Houston fought back with determined play from Barkley, who made 11-of-14 field goal attempts.
Barkley's intensity and aggressiveness made Dennis Rodman (no points, five rebounds in 35 minutes) ineffective, turning the NBA's leading rebounder into a pussycat with leopard-spotted hair.
"Charles doesn't take any of the mess that Dennis may try to do to other players to get into their minds," Jordan said.
"Actually, I think Charles tries to beat him to the punch early. In Phoenix (two years ago), he threw an elbow at Dennis and more or less held him at bay the rest of the game. Today, he threw Dennis down early. (Barkley) got a foul, but I think it set the precedent to Dennis that he's not going to manhandle (Barkley)."
Four points by Othella Harrington and Emanual Davis's three-pointer highlighted an 11-2 fourth-quarter run that got the Rockets within 90-87.
Jordan then hit a pair of three-pointers and Scott Burrell added another as Chicago went up 10 with just more than four minutes remaining.
Jordan's 45 points marked his seventh game of at least 40 points this season.

[@hartsickdisciple]

Look what happened when they pissed off Barkley. He steals a pass, runs down and nails a 3 in Rodman's face. Chuck was a beast, even old like he was here.

[@matthewklim2387]

Poor Chuck remained ringless

[@gr8filibuster]

This league was so much harder. Men played this game.

[@at1212b]

gr8filibuster That's what Tracey McGrady said, and Robert Horry. There were MEN in the league back then.

[@RageCage1701]

Oh hell yeah it was hard. Diamond hard. All those big sweaty men playing the game as hard as possible, just jamming into each other, pressing up, feeling each other's bulging muscles. Great game.

[@guhsuckyamudda586]

@@RageCage1701 The hell? You had to fulfill a lil homoerotic fantasy?

[@FrankFromThaLand]

Ashame to say if this game took place in todays game they both wouldve been ejected halfway through lol.. This is why I love looing back at old games..

[@bluedrumble]

I miss all this and all these players

[@macenblu6]

one of my favorite games ever.......sad that today, both would probably be ejected .....well, nostalgia :D

[@baja0981]

damn...I miss the NBA on NBC. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@mickster1337]

there will never be a player like MJ again, trust me. in my eyes, the best athlete of all times!

[@SneakerShopTalk]

This reminds me of how great the NBA was( when it was still a grown man game) and how in terms of physicality, the game has fallen. 95% of that stuff in this game, would get you thrown out in today's NBA.

[@billybryson2009]

imo, this is what the nba is lacking today... 2 fierce competitors wanting to kick each others asses on the court

[@at1212b]

jer bo Yupp.. and you can totally see Isiah totally wanted in on that. That generation of "Playing at the Park". Not "Streetball'. Just playing at the park, or run down driveway. These old school guys really played for the love of the game. Not to be in some special fraternity of being a Millionaire.

[@MrFuchew]

Now days LeBron is more likely to invite the opposing teams all-star over for mimosas after the game than get heated on the court

[@thomasbrandner4579]

Today they would of throw both players out of the game, suspend them for 3 games, and ESPN would analyze it to death, and make a poll question " should MJ and Barkley be suspended longer for their actions or was the 3 games just right?" actually really does sound like something that would happen today...what a soft league it has become

[@turrisi2]

Hahaha

[@ATLKing404]

Blame the malice at the palace

[@rooseveltdarbey9493]

Exactly 💯

[@BigBoeingBoy]

Charles was REAL standing up to the officials. He didnt care about getting a technical. He did what was right. Much respect Sir Charles!

[@RockItProductions]

damn I miss that era

[@alphadichie]

2 of the greatest players in the world!!!

[@Road2Wrestlemania]

Cool vid, gotta love Jordan and Barkley, though I would've liked to have seen more Barkley.

[@Marshall0722]

All of the physical contact between Jordan and Barkley would be technical fouls in todays game. The game has gotten soft.

[@ludwigragadio]

Too soft to be exact 😂

[@lancefarb4395]

The only head butts you will see today are the kind when LeBron and Wade come in too hard for a kiss on the mouth.

[@jonathanwilliams0824]

Jason Marshall Yeah!! You could even get a technical foul for burping or even sneezing!!!!! You could even get called for a foul for farting!!!!!!! SMH🙅😠😠😠😠😠

[@ATLKing404]

@@jonathanwilliams0824 no they cant

[@guardianangel1524]

Hell yeah tim duncan laughing at the bench and get ejected🤣🤣🤣

[@Retrolock]

Im amazed at MJ's and chuck's intensity in this game. They were headbutting each other lol! But hell, what are friends for? great times, i miss them!

[@at1212b]

Barkley was one of the few guys that could outsmart, out play and out rebound a Dennis Rodman.

[@aristotleyalung8033]

not really.

[@theconscientiousperfecter]

@@aristotleyalung8033 1.4 rebounds per game is all that separates them...but Barkley averaged 22pts to Rodmans 7pts for their careers...Charles also had higher blocks per game and is in the top 25 ALL TIME in steals as well...Rodman...just had the rebounds. If you think 1.4 rebounds per game is more valuable to your team than what Barkley did...I know, I know tell me about Rodman's rings...he rode Jordans coat tails. If Barkley was on the Bulls instead of Rodman they would have not seen any drop-off...instead would have been even better. Not really...LOL...you truly do not know the game.

[@BMag4ever]

This is what basketball is all about. That's what I miss about todays game, the game within the game. MJ and Chuck were 2 of the best at talking, backing it up, and just playing like they're in the park or something.

[@eddiejansen3771]

The NBA is definitely not like this anymore. That's for sure.

[@kuriaki71]

my two favorite players mj and sir charles

[@iTzeXile13]

u gotta love watching these kind of games

[@stevenkunzer9027]

Charles should have skipped Phx and went straight to Hou and they would have been scary.

[@earlyburd78]

He was traded....

[@krlm2280]

@@earlyburd78 exactly for Jeff hornechek and other players

[@rrTale]

Man what a great matchup, Michael and Charles charisma alone filled any arena. Only 2 long time friends like them go at each other like that without ending up fighting. It just adds to the game. Miss that feeling

[@craz4]

nice game! Great perfomances by both! Thanks for uploading

[@fried2styles]

Isiah on jordan: "He's into his thang..." YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!!

[@airtime23]

Jordan, Rodman, Pippen, Barkley......Legends.....I miss those days...

[@27SkyGaming]

Stockton, malone, olajuwon, ewing, miller, shaq, robinson, payton, drexler, russel, kemp, wilkins,

[@orvcharl1]

Barkley was a monster down there...imagine if he had the type of dedication to stay in shape, his career would have lasted longer and maybe he could've teamed up with an old Scottie. Put one good player and some decent role players around them, have Scottie guard the perimeter and handle the ball (like in Portland), and have Chuck get you post buckets and rebounds. With their playoff experience, they could've beat any team of the early 2000s. Sadly, Chuck enjoys his donuts...

[@ChrisJWattsTV]

HAHAHA!!! That's So Fucked Up But So True At The Same Time...Lol.

[@at1212b]

orvcharl1 that's what MJ said.. that Chuck didn't take his health and practice seriously. Chuck had just absolute natural ability and killer instinct. But unfortunately took that for granted.

[@ericgold8500]

By that time he was already 36

[@tol-mol-ke-bol]

One Barkeley against 5 !!! Man..!!! Respect to Charles

[@multiklamer]

I MISS THE 90'S

[@yb25]

For the Record, Barkley is the funniest player in history, " I know he's Michael Jordan..." ,LOL- Brilliant!

[@cantguard26]

4:13 Charles said thank you

[@blistex649]

This is hilarious! True men playing. I would have loved to heard their whole conversation. The wit of these 'old' school guys are unbelievable. Its interesting to see how Isiah is enjoying this and you can really hear the elevation in his voice as he understands what's going on, thinking "yea, its about time I saw a real game, that's the way to play it!... man, I wish I was in there"

[@Retrolock]

I remember watching this game lol. nice vid

[@rauhbautz44]

Barkley is Barkley I loving you style and is the # 1 forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BSmithLyrix]

Damn I miss the NBA being played like this...

[@Gamachy]

I miss a lot this kind of basketball

[@iwasbornfriday]

you have a great taste of the best nba times and players....thanks for your videos.

[@showbiz910]

Poor Barkley. If MJ never existed Barkley would have had at least one ring. I love both of these guys.

[@readytorockithard23]

WHAT A WONDERFUL SHOW....

[@butterp7]

God, I miss these guys!! Jordan, and Barkley, Thomas, Drexler, Olajuwan, Pippen, Dumars, Harper, Price, Magic, Malone, Stockton, Hornacek, Miller, Ewing, Schrempf, Bird, Hardaway, Robinson (both Glen and David).

[@TrueSephiros]

I remember watching this game back in the day...dang...during those times, I never wanted to miss a Bulls game, simply because MJ was too beastly, and his time in the NBA would only be but a fraction of it. Glad I was able to see him beast. MJ and Barkley going at it is mad hype! This kind of tough love competition is fun and both of them brought their A-Game, I love the trash talking. Good Vid.

[@LatinD]

Great game. Another jewel you put together. Thanks for sharing.

[@RJRockstah]

Damn! I Love this one! Epic! Jordan is SUPERIOR!!!

[@woutakasinistra]

Charles at 4:20 so priceless. Gets the steal, but uhuh, isn't going to give up the ball to the point guard. Dribbles the other way, takes a contested 3 without anyone having touch the ball. But he makes it and starts talking right back to Rodman. Man I miss him so much

[@det916]

I re-watched this a few months ago... You gotta love it. :)

[@Modancious]

I think that statistic @ 1:34 just attains even more to the fact of Michael Jordan's greatness!!!

[@kylereinhard1]

Ahh, how could that have slipped my mind. You are most correct sir.

[@demonianray]

so true, also i loved that nbc music everytime they were going to commercials...it makes me remember those times :(

[@hardrockin96]

Yeah, time flies!! It's hard to believe.

[@cool908]

Amazing. Many people comment that this doesn't happen anymore, but I blame the NBA not the players. The NBA has made basketball so technical that it isn't fun to watch, unless you have 3 superstars on a given team. Although people might argue that NBA players today are too immature to understand this level of competition. It's the NBA's office job to set a moral standard. Make players understand that competition and trash talking are part of the game but violence isn't.

[@powerboatguy2308]

Barkley was way passed his prime, but if there was another superstar like Jordan or Shaq he could still put together monster games.

[@dancincy2006]

Great video. Two of the best ever just talking smack and getting in each other's heads. And I really miss the NBA on NBC. The tripleheaders, the music and everything.

[@elviraico]

thanks for posting this...i love those classic trash talks between Sir Charles and Air Mike! if you have more, please post them all...will be glad to subscribe

[@tooBlessed847]

EEEHHHH....Jordan was bringing it...he always played to the level of competition but so was Barkley a big competitor too. It seem like all of Jordan shots where hitting nothing but the bottom of the net, rip cord and string music.

[@uofksteel]

thats when the NBA was fun!

[@timothychamberlin6985]

Love ya Chuck....

[@abaileyjr97]

I Love it!

[@newyorkse2004]

Memories !

[@icecubejdi]

i miss all those guys

[@Escobar88]

SCHREMPF !! the most underrated sidekick ever.

[@ChrisVarick]

omg I miss those days

[@EmmanuelHerrera]

damn! I miss those games

[@optiKalismo]

NBA in the 90's was the best

[@byrongriffin6000]

When basketball was at its best. 80s and 90s! Not this small ball 3 pointer soft era bullshit

[@mickeyjohnson5247]

Agreed

[@aj642]

This was when basketball was great. Never see this kind of stuff happening now. It sucks.

[@cheryzheng]

Those are my favorite Air Jordan!

[@xzver]

nice job!

[@nobita21]

Jordan would never let ANYONE out play him and Bulls!!!! MJ forever!!!!

[@Yimoney]

This game was just entertaining. Damn I miss nba on nbc.....

[@ILoveSaintBernards]

This was back when basketball was dominated by adults and not children in adult bodies.

[@A4Lito]

amen to that!!

[@jamesdupuis1]

Charles in Phoenix was what I watched as a kid. Massive rebounding! and steals.

[@kevinolis]

man why cant nba be like this in these days

[@butterp7]

My response was in humor with a smile!

[@mattc941]

god I wish NBA was still on NBC. Sooo much better.

[@collin711311]

i love how isiah thomas is trying to tell us what jordan and barkley are saying to eachother WHILE they are talking to eachother right in front of the camera.

[@RevolutionTTT]

this is the game...good old days....

[@noel8421]

jordan's a badass

[@aj11fan]

that paint dry analogy is genius! lol!!

[@NoClassic]

why cant basketball be like this anymore

[@ritches48]

SLACK dude

[@hirudold]

Kids call me an old fart when I say the 90s NBA was better, now I will show them this.

[@ricer4300]

what an entertaining game.. MJ wont put up with shit.. its amazing how these 1 on 1 encounters just makes him invincible.. thanx for sharing!! thumbs up for u!

[@myfight23]

If they saw what Jordan and Barkley were doing throughout the game, they would have been thrown out in today's game. Just shows how badly it is right now. This was the attitude era of the NBA. The 90's were the best and always will be

[@symbspider33]

I love how they totally ignore Pippen at the end. "ahahhh nice to have u back Scottie."

[@DaBusDriva92]

this video has my all time "badass" lineup PG: Isaiah Thomas SG: Michael Jordan SF: Scottie Pippen PF: Charles barkley C: Dennis Rodman Any team put together would be scared to face this lineup, all these players would never back down from anybody and get in your face while lighting you up and shutting you down

[@k13087911]

look at Rodman lol, when it's Barkley talking he aint fighting back lolololol He truly has an idea who to talk who to mess up and who not to...!

[@suppaman12]

k13087911 Rodman never talked shit.. if you look at his career, he never even fought anyone.. his triumphed on getting into people’s heads, obviously it wouldn’t work vs Barkley but it’s not like barkley punked him

[@crankyboiy]

damn.. those were the good ol days...

[@meetyuju]

thanks for this sharing. I left five stars. Please upload this game or others more if it's possible.

[@gocelts34n7]

And this was 35 year old MJ........ for you youngsters if you couldve seen him ball when he was like 22 years old say playing against my celtics and Bird in his prime.... man, Jordan was just such an unbelievalbe athlete and would carry his team through the whole game while Bird just lit it up and got everybody going on the great celtics teams..... the celtics won 90% of the games at that time, but MJ was a JOY to watch.

[@pacmannz]

"The Round Mound of Rebound". Still remember the rebound and C.B. coast to coast.

[@addycorp2]

barkley is well past his physical prime here and he still has a hell of a game... i don't think the commentators give him enough credit

[@nickwalton2494]

chuck is fun to watch

[@chitownmo]

Barkley was special.

[@exzbit69]

jordan is one hell of aa shooting machine..even kobe or Lebron cant match Jordan in his era... just so damn good shooting guard

[@baseballman1019]

This would never happen in today's NBA. Two forearm shivvers from Kobe, or anybody, on anybody and that would be 2 T's and you're out. This is what I miss about the NBA.

[@TheBostonThreeParty1]

Jordan knew you had to be tough going up against players like Barkley or they would get inside your head. I like what Jordan was doing in this video.

[@JACKOTACO]

NBC theme FTW!

[@Hamidxa]

Not to mention that Jordan is arguably the greatest defensive guard of all time. He did win Defensive player of the year before. He is like 2nd all time in steals (would be first if he didn't retire a couple of times). He did get selected to the All NBA Defensive First team more times than Kobe or any other player ever has, an NBA record 9 times. Couple his killer defense with the greatest offensive game of all time (greatest scoring average ever), and you have game over for Kobe.

[@slipamo4309]

classic Pippen at 9:06