Photo Credit: Jeff Gentner/Getty Images

John Salley Reveals Incredible Story Of Charles Oakley Punching Him For Making Fun Of Michael Jordan

Former NBA player, John Salley, likely had one of the best imaginable careers for any NBA role player.

Sally became the first player in NBA history to win championships with three franchises – two with the Detroit Pistons, and one each with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. He also became the first player, and one of only two (the other being Tim Duncan) in the NBA, to win a championship in three different decades.

While he was guest on ‘The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz’ on ESPNews, Salley revealed the insane story of getting punched by Charles Oakley for making fun of Michael Jordan. While at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, Salley was surrounded Dave Chappelle, Chris Tucker and Julius Erving when he saw Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

“Off to the right is Charles Oakley, who, if you don’t know, is Michael’s security guard forever and didn’t like me.

So, I look at Michael, and I said, “Wait, at 27 years old” – whatever, 27 – I put my hand on Michael’s shoulder, and I go, “At 27 years old, young boy would have given you the business.”

And out of the blue, Charles Oakley comes and punches me in the stomach. But I mean the way he wanted to hit Dolan. Not the way he was pushing the security guard. He unleashed on me, Dan. And I saw it at the last second and tightened up a little bit. He knocked all the air out of me.

And Dave Chappelle said, “This is the only time I wish I still had my show. This is a scene.”

And Michael is like, “No, come on Charles. You know Sal is crazy. He’s just joking. He’s just joking.”

He’s like, “I don’t like when he talks that stuff to you.” He’s been wanting to hit me since the 80s. But, man, he hit me with everything he could.

I had a suit on, too. And I wasn’t going to stand back up and fight him. I’m a karate man. I bruise on the inside.”

Transcript via NBC Sports