Charles Barkley Knew Michael Jordan Was Great When He Saw Him at 1984 Olympic Trials

Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan, selected third and fifth overall, respectively, joined the league with the 1984 draft class. But before they were in the NBA, they were competing to be the best player in the nation. During the 1984 Olympic trials, Charles Barkley admitted on The Mark Jackson Show that he knew Michael Jackson was superior to him. For the trials of the USA squad that will compete in the ’84 LA games, 120 of the top collegiate athletes from throughout the nation were brought in. It was Barkley vs. Jordan for the top place in the talent pool consisting of future Hall of Famers. When the Chuckster reached the final round of the trials, his coach told him that John Thompson wanted to see him. Chuck remembered being informed: “Charles was the second-best player at the Olympic trials, he should’ve made the team. Bobby Knight [then USA Coach] did not like him, he never gave us a reason. He just didn’t like Charles, but I just wanted Charles to know, Charles, you were amazing,” Charles Barkley talks about watching a young Michael Jordan Barkley received so great recognition at such a young age. Barkley was the best player...