Charles Barkley criticizes NBC’s handling of Michael Jordan content

Hall of Fame forward and NBA analyst Charles Barkley didn’t hold back in his take NBC/Peacock’s interview with Michael Jordan. Doc Barkley took a humble approach to the Hall of Famehe also left room to criticize NBC’s rare interview with Jordan, which is a lengthy interview with Michael conducted in August. Interview segments with Mike Thirik aired in small increments throughout 2025-26.

For Barclays, NBC one single interview with Jordan chopped up to air during the regular season is far from ideal, he said, according to The Dan Patrick Show.

“It’s a bad look to do one interview and string it together throughout the season,” Barkley said. “They couldn’t fly out there once a month to sit down with Michael for an hour? To do an interview in August, and put it together and still record the same interview in January, February, that’s a bad look.”

“I thought it was great that we brought Michael Jordan back to the NBA. But now you look, and I’m like, ‘You’ve been wearing the same clothes since August.’

When NBC regained the rights to broadcast NBA games, the return of Michael Jordan and the nostalgia of their 90s coverage was exciting for NBA fans. From the return of NBC’s iconic “Roundball Rock” theme song to the narrative intros showing the match shown, the halftime interviews with Jordan were a nice addition to his return.

Amidst his thoughts on the current NBA season, Barkley says the Denver Nuggets are his favorites to dethrone the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

While Hall of Fame forward Charles Barkley is considered one of the greatest players at his position, he doesn’t think he belongs at the same table as some of his peers. Barkley’s humble attitude is about winning, which for him means that players who have won multiple championships are at a higher level than the career he led.

“Listen, I’m a Hall of Famer. I’m not at the table with Michael, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, LeBron, Kobe; those guys are at a different table from me,” Barkley said. “It just is. I don’t take it personally. I know I’ve had a hell of a career.”

For Barkley, the multi-championship Hall of Fame talents are on a higher level than his impressive career as one of the better power forwards of his era.

“I’m just not at the same table with those guys,” Barkley added. “Those guys have won multiple championships. That’s what separates them.”

Barkley retired as an 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA forward and 1990-91 MVP, who lost 4-2 to Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals.