"Yo man, that was a really good cigar" - When Charles Barkley got an earful from Michael Jordan for ruining his expensive gift

Despite their fierce rivalry on the basketball court, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were once great friends away from the game, often engaging in golf together.

During one of their golfing trips, "His Airness" once gifted "The Round Mound of Rebound" a rare Cuban cigar. However, when Chuck violated a fundamental rule of cigar etiquette, MJ expressed his displeasure quite vocally.

Barkley recalled wasting MJ's gift

Today's NBA fans might think Mike and "Sir Charles" never saw eye-to-eye during their playing days. However, the two exemplified that intense on-court rivalry could coexist with off-court friendship.

Playing golf was one thing that brought them closer. The other one was cigars, with MJ teaching the legendary forward the art of smoking.

Not only was the 11-time All-Star taught about different types of cigars, but he was also made aware of the basic rule of never wasting a fine cigar. The latter was embedded in Barkley's head ever since he received a scolding from MJ for wasting his rare gift.

"It was from the good humidor. And I got yelled at," Charles said . "I took a couple of hits, and then I was done with it. He was like, 'Yo man, that was a really good cigar!'"

Chuck became an avid cigar smoker

Even though the Alabama native might have gotten an earful for not knowing better than to waste another man's rare Cuban cigar, Barkley eventually became an avid cigar smoker, courtesy of Jordan's guidance. Furthermore, the 61-year-old also admitted that he can't resist lighting (at least) one up whenever he plays golf.

"99% of the time when I smoke cigars, I'm playing golf, and I play golf a lot," Barkley added. "I smoke four when I play golf, two per nine."

"I treat my cigars better than people, " the former Phoenix Suns forward continued. "You gotta treat 'em good."

Perhaps Barkley took Jordan's lesson too seriously. Still, even though he is no longer friends with the Chicago Bulls legend, he carries his teachings with him.

Related: Mike Krzyzewski discusses Jordan, Bird, and Magic playing together on the Dream Team: "I'll take those three guys to start any team"