Michael Jordan 'bribed opponent with $20,000 diamond earrings' to soften him up before NBA Finals clash

Many iconic Michael Jordan stories have come out over the years, showcasing his greatness as well as his competitiveness on the court with an ultimate desire to win at the core of everything he did.

In a career that saw six championships and many other accolades, Michael Jordan also made sure to have some fun off the court.

Golf was a sport that he enjoyed playing and used it as a way to release himself from the stress of basketball.

And it was during the 1993 NBA Finals, when his Chicago Bulls side were 2-1 down in the series, that he decided to take a golfing trip.

Playing against the Bulls in the Finals were the Phoenix Suns, a side led by the iconic Charles Barkley - a close friend of Jordan's at that time.

Chuckster joined Jordan to play golf and according to former Bulls assistant coach Johnny Bach, His Airness suggested Barkley be given $20,000 diamond earrings on that trip.

Photo credit should read BRIAN BAHR/AFP via Getty Images

Jordan's coach reveals Charles Barkley 'bribe' story

Johnny Bach was an assistant coach with the Bulls for the first three-peat.

He asked Jordan about the gift to which the six-time champion replied: "He won’t get in my way the rest of the series, what’s $20,000 to me? Charles thinks we’re great friends. I hate that fat f** f***."

The Jumpman scored 55 points in Game 4 to lead the Bulls to a 111-105 win and level the series.

Barkley also had a good performance as he dropped a 32-point triple-double. However, from thereon the series went in favour of the Bulls as they won the next two games as well to secure the three-peat.

Barkley denies the rumour that he was bribed by Jordan

Chuck had won the MVP award in 1993 and professionally, Jordan was certainly not pleased by that.

He had a point to prove when the two met in the NBA Finals, but outside the court both had a good relationship.

Although they are not on talking terms now, Jordan and Barkley were good friends when they faced each other in the 1993 NBA Finals. According to the former Suns player, Jordan had not gifted the diamond earring just a day before the game.

He cleared the air around the bribery rumour on 'The New Heights podcast' with Jason and Travis Kelce.

"First of all, me and Mike had already made a pact that we would stay away from each other during the Finals. Now he did give me the earrings one Christmas; that's a true story. This rumor that he took me golfing during the Finals and buttered me up is 100% not true," said Barkley.

The performance in the six-game series against the Suns was Jordan's best ever in the NBA Finals as he averaged 41 points in the series.

But it cannot be said that Barkley was not too good as averaged 27-13-5 splits throughout the series.